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Consumer Factsheet on: DIBROMOCHLOROPROPANE
List of Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger publication: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or private drinking water
supplies. It may cause health problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What is DBCP and how is it used?
Dibromochloropropane, or DBCP is a dense yellow organic liquid with a pungent odor. It is used
primarily as an unclassified nematocide for soil fumigation of cucumbers, summer squash,
cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, snap beans, okra, aster, shasta daisy, lawn grasses and ornamental
shrubs.
The list of trade names given below may help you find out whether you are using this chemical at
home or work.
Trade Names and Synonyms:
DBCP
BBC 12
Fumagon
Fumazone
Nemabrom
Nemafum
Nemagon
Nemanax
Nemapaz
Nemaset
Nemazon
Gro-Tone Nematode
Durham Nematocide
Why is DBCP being Regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe
levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause health problems. These
non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum
Contaminant Level Goals.
The MCLG for DBCP has been set at zero because EPA believes this level of protection would
not cause any of the potential health problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum Contaminant Level
(MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible, considering the ability of public water
systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.
The MCL has been set at 0.2 ppb because EPA believes, given present technology and resources,
this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this
contaminant should it occur in drinking water.
These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these standards are met, are
called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public water supplies must abide by
these regulations.
What are the Health Effects?
Short-term: EPA has found DBCP to potentially cause the following health effects when people
are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: kidney and liver
damage and atrophy of the testes.
Long-term: DBCP has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at
levels above the MCL: kidney damage and antifertility; cancer.
How much DBCP is produced and released to the environment?
In the past, release of DBCP to the environment occurred primarily from its fumigant and
nematocide uses. In 1977, 831,000 pounds of DBCP was used in CA alone, mainly on grapes and
tomatoes. In 1974, USA farmers applied 9.8 million pounds of DBCP on crops. All registrations
of end use products were canceled in 1979 except for the use as a soil fumigant against nematodes
on pineapples in Hawaii. This use was canceled in 1985.
What happens to DBCP when it is released to the environment?
DBCP released to soil will most likely evaporate or leach to groundwater. Break down by
microbes is slow by comparison. Once in the atmosphere, DBCP is expected to be broken down
fairly quickly by sunlight. DBCP is not likely to accumulate in aquatic life.
How will DBCP be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking Water?
The regulation for DBCP became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your
water supplier to collect water samples every 3 months for one year and analyze them to find out
if DBCP is present above 0.02 ppb. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to
monitor this contaminant.
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water supplier must take
steps to reduce the amount of DBCP so that it is consistently below that level. The following
treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing DBCP: Granular activated charcoal
together with Packed Tower Aeration.
How will I know if DBCP is in my drinking water?
If the levels of DBCP exceed the MCL, 0.2 ppb, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative
drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.
Drinking Water Standards:
Mclg: zeroMcl: 0.2 ppb Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and to support local
efforts to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking water. Your water bill or telephone
book's government listings are a good starting point.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of the chemicals they test for in your water, as well
as how your water is treated.
Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a valuable source of information.
For help in locating these agencies or for information on drinking water in general, call: EPA's
Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
For additional information on the uses and releases of chemicals in your state, contact the:
Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346
List of Contaminants
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