FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Last year was the Central Valley’s least polluted year on record, but according to recently published data, at least one Fresno County town surpassed the safety threshold for a cancer-causing pesticide.

The Department of Pesticide Regulation’s (DPR) June 30 pesticide report revealed that Parlier reached 0.35 parts per billion (ppb) of 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) in 2025. 

The chemical is used statewide, but per DPR’s safety guidelines, it should be kept below 0.27 ppb to reduce the risk of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer. 

Parlier exceeded that threshold – by 31%.

It was a 69% jump compared to the year prior, when the area recorded a much smaller 0.16 ppb.

Three of the six other sites monitored across the state also experienced an increase in 1,3-D, including:

• Delhi in Merced County: 0.11 ppb → 0.16 ppb
• Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County: 0.04 ppb → 0.07 ppb
• Watsonville in Santa Cruz County: 0.03 ppb → 0.07 ppb

However, DPR’s safety thresholds are generous compared to other groups, including the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). They cap 1,3-D exposure at 0.04 ppb – making all the aforementioned towns above the recommended limits and Parlier specifically, 875% above the threshold.

YourCentralValley.com reached out to DPR to see what, if any, follow-up review or mitigation steps are underway.