The State : Carcinogen in Water Found

High levels of the cancer-causing pesticide DBCP (dibromochloropropane) have recently been found in well water in the small San Joaquin Valley farming town of McFarland, causing health officials to wonder if the toxic chemical may be linked to a dozen childhood cancer cases in that community. All uses of DBCP were banned a decade ago because the chemical is such a potent carcinogen. However, the pesticide--a soil fumigant--remains for long periods in the soil and has been detected in more than 2,000 wells throughout the state. The McFarland well, one of six serving the community, was shut down last summer after traces of the pesticide were detected in the water. When the well was tested again Feb. 5, scientists detected DBCP levels at 4.1 parts per billion (p.p.b.) when the pump was turned on. After the first flushing, this level quickly dropped to 0.09 p.p.b., significantly below the safe-drinking level set by the state. Public health investigators seeking the cause of the cancer cluster said they will try to determine if this new finding is in any way linked to the childhood cancer cases.