Lindley Park, LLC

What it means: DBCP is a halogenated aliphatic soil fumigant used to control nematodes on crops including pineapple, grapes, and citrus. Its use was banned in the United States in 1979 after it was linked to male sterility in factory workers. DBCP is highly mobile in soil and extremely persistent in groundwater, and remains a significant contaminant in agricultural regions such as California's Central Valley.

Health effects: DBCP is classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen (Group B2). It causes male reproductive toxicity — including reduced sperm count and sterility — at relatively low exposure levels. Chronic exposure is also associated with kidney damage. Men of reproductive age and developing fetuses are most at risk.

Limit: 0.0002 mg/L (0.2 ppb)

What it means: Ethylene dibromide (EDB) is a halogenated organic compound used as a soil and grain fumigant and as a lead scavenger in leaded gasoline. Its use as a pesticide was banned in the United States in 1984 following discovery of widespread groundwater contamination. EDB is highly persistent in groundwater and continues to be detected at legacy agricultural and fuel storage sites.

Health effects: EDB is classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen (Group B2). It is acutely toxic at high doses, causing liver, kidney, and reproductive damage. Chronic low-level exposure is associated with increased cancer risk. Men of reproductive age face particular risk due to EDB's well-documented testicular toxicity.

Limit: 0.00005 mg/L (0.05 ppb)