Dieldrin – A Cancer Causing Pesticide – Found to Impact More than 100 Wells in Central Florida

Decades after it was banned in the United States as a cancer risk, the insecticide dieldrin has been discovered in 108 private wells in Central Florida, making the water unsafe to drink. In the most recent case, 21 wells at DeLand’s Country Club Estates have unsafe levels of the chemical. But state records show that within the past two years, 81 wells contaminated by dieldrin also have been identified near Sorrento and Longwood. Another six contaminated wells were found in Orange County in 2007. The affected neighborhoods in DeLand, Longwood and Sorrento are all close to older golf courses and have a history of well contamination. In the 1980s, the chemical found in the wells was another pesticide — ethylene dibromide, or EDB, which was banned in 1984. Numerous studies linked the use of EDB on golf courses to the tainting of wells. Eighty more wells in the DeLand neighborhood are being tested. Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of Volusia County’s health department, said she’s concerned about the contamination but that it would take a thorough study to confirm a link between the water and any cancer cases. “The levels found exceed the state’s health advisory levels, which are set to be more protective of the public’s health,” she said. “But it only means there is an increased risk of cancer if there is prolonged exposure over the course of a lifetime.” The complete article can be found in the Orlando Sentinel; this is a must-read for all Central Floridians. HSA Golden provides water testing services for dieldrin and many other contaminants which may be present in well water. One of our experts will be happy to discuss what the implications of dieldrin contamination are, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. Just call us at (407) 649-5475 or CONTACT US.