EWG Investigation | U.S. Tap Water Quality Database

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EWG INVESTIGATION

Findings

About The Data

News Release

EWG Statement, 03/10/2008

1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)

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Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.

1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) is a fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples and orchards. Potential health impacts associated with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) include cancer, developmental toxicity, endocrine toxicity, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory toxicity, and skin sensitivity. [read more]

Sources of 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP):
Agriculture Agriculture (pesticides, fertilizer, factory farms)

An Environmental Working Group analysis of 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) tests reported by 23,744 public water suppliers in 41 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 6.5 million people in 178 communities drank water contaminated with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP). In 163 of these communities, tap water was contaminated at levels above health-based thresholds.

Exposure Summary

6,492,596
People drinking water contaminated with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
178
Communities served water contaminated with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
4,388,732
People drinking water contaminated with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) over health based limits
163
Communities served water with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) above health based limits

Table. 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) Exposure by State

4.4 million Americans in 15 states were served tap water contaminated with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) at levels above health-based limits between 1998 and 2003.

State Water suppliers with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) contamination Water suppliers reporting 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) above health-based limits
Systems Population Systems Population
California 121 3,981,981 111 3,440,467
Florida 10 538,754 10 538,754
Alabama 9 138,997 9 138,997
South Carolina 6 76,205 6 76,205
Kentucky 2 51,270 2 51,270
Arizona 6 1,582,600 2 40,600
New York 4 28,079 4 28,079
Illinois 8 40,655 7 20,305
North Carolina 3 18,089 3 18,089
Indiana 3 13,920 3 13,920
New Jersey 2 13,885 2 13,885
Pennsylvania 1 6,000 1 6,000
Colorado 1 1,700 1 1,700
Wisconsin 1 385 1 385
New Mexico 1 76 1 76
Total 178 6,492,596 163 4,388,732

Table. The most polluted communities

4.4 million Americans in 163 communities were served tap water contaminated with 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) above health based limits between 1998 and 2003

Ranked by highest average 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) level

Rank System Population Served Positive test results of total reported tests Average Level
(Range)
1 Norwood Village
Norwood, NY 2,200 1 of 1 3.13 ppb
(3.13 to 3.13 ppb)
2 Happy Acres
MERCED, CA 24 1 of 1 1.5 ppb
(1.5 to 1.5 ppb)
3 Western Sky Mobile Home Park
San Francisco, CA 108 5 of 5 0.91 ppb
(0.73 to 1.18 ppb)
4 Evergreen Hills Mhp
Blossvale, NY 78 1 of 1 0.7 ppb
(0.7 to 0.7 ppb)
5 Stonegate Mobile Home Park
Roseville, CA 125 1 of 3 0.63 ppb
(0 to 1.9 ppb)
6 Lee Valley Trailer Park
Blossvale, NY 126 1 of 1 0.5 ppb
(0.5 to 0.5 ppb)
7 Central Valley Water Company
Tulare, CA 400 1 of 1 0.45 ppb
(0.45 to 0.45 ppb)
8 Son Shine Properties
Edison, CA 400 3 of 3 0.37 ppb
(0.3 to 0.41 ppb)
9 Sunnyside Estates Water System
Stockton, CA 76 1 of 1 0.36 ppb
(0.36 to 0.36 ppb)
10 Valley Care and Guidance
Fresno, CA 158 5 of 13 0.31 ppb
(0 to 1.92 ppb)

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Health based limits for 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)

Health Limit Limit Value Limit Description
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) 0.2 ppb The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG) 0 ppb A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
One in ten thousand (10-4) Cancer Risk 3 ppb The concentration of a chemical in drinking water corresponding to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 in 10,000. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
California Public Health Goals <0.01 ppb Defined by the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. For acutely toxic substances, levels are set at which scientific evidence indicates that no known or anticipated adverse effects on health will occur, plus an adequate margin-of safety. PHGs for carcinogens or other substances which can cause chronic disease shall be based solely on health effects without regard to cost impacts and shall be set at levels which OEHHA has determined do not pose any significant risk to health.
Children's health-based limit for 1-day exposure 200 ppb Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects for up to one day of exposure. The One-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Children's health-based limit for 10-day exposure 50 ppb Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure. The Ten-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Testing Summary for 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)

Water suppliers report an average of 0.6 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) tests per year. 16,007 water suppliers failed to report any 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) by federal law? Yes
Water suppliers reporting tests for 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) (1998-2003): 23,744 of 39,751
Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): 0.6 per year

1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) Violations

Table. 2.1 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) between 1998 and 2003

Violation Type Violations Systems
Any Violation (1998-2003) 2,064 1,175
(2.1% of all suppliers)
Testing violations (1998-2003) 2,056 1,175
(2.1% of all suppliers)
Reporting violations (1998-2003) 7 7
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)
Violations of tap water pollution standards (1998-2003) 1 1
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)