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DBCP CONSUMER FACT SHEET <br />The following Fact Sheet was prepared by the State of California, Department of Health <br />Services for distribution to customers of Public Water Systems that have elevated levels <br />of DBCP in their water supply. <br />DBCP IN DRINKING WATER: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? <br />This publication has been prepared to inform customers of water utilities and owners of <br />private wells about dibromochropropane (DBCP) in drinking water. DBCP is the major <br />pesticide contaminant of drinking water in California. Because the state adopted a new <br />Standard of 0.2 parts per billion (ppb) for DBCP in public drinking water systems in <br />1989, water customers will be receiving notices when DBCP in their drinking water <br />exceeds this maximum contaminant level (MCL). People who have contamination in <br />their own water wells may also want to know more about the state's new standard for <br />DBCP, although private wells are not legally required to meet the standard. <br />This document will answer the following questions: <br />• What is DBCP? How did it get there? How do I find out if my drinking water has <br />DBCP? <br />• What are the health effects of DBCP? <br />• How will the new state standards for DBCP protect my health? <br />• How can DBCP be removed from drinking water? <br />• What about using bottled water or installing filters? <br />• What's being done to prevent water contamination? <br />• How can I get more information? <br />WHAT IS DBCP? HOW DID IT GET THERE? <br />DBCP is a fumigant pesticide that was used widely to kill nematodes in soil before <br />planting. Between 1957 and 1977, about 32 million pounds of DBCP were sold and <br />applied yearly in the United States, mainly for soybeans. California used 426,000 <br />pounds at its peak use in 1977. DBCP's use in California was stopped in 1977, about <br />