Diquat

GENERAL INFORMATION
Diquat is an organic solid of colorless or yellow crystals. A water solution is dark red-brown. Diquat is a herbicide that has been used extensively in the United States since the late 1950s to control both crop and aquatic weeds. It is used on potatoes; as an aid in harvesting cotton, rapeseed and other oil seed crops; to wilt and dry out silage, standing hay, etc., for storage; a plant growth regulator and sugar cane-flowering suppressant. The major source of diquat in drinking water is runoff from herbicide use.

HEALTH EFFECTS
Some people who drink water containing diquat well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years could get cataracts.

Standard value 1: 
2.00
Standard units 1: 
ppb
Input units: 
ug/L
ppb
Contaminant group: 
Standard type 1: 
MCL
Action is optional 1: 

ACTION IS OPTIONAL
Diquat levels were detected in your water sample but do not exceed the maximum contaminant level.

Typical range in Ohio: 
detection suggest human source
Major sources in drinking water: 
Runoff from herbicide use
Treatment options: 

TREATMENT OPTIONS
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) or Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) are considered the best available technologies (BAT) for treatment of many organic contaminants including organic pesticides, volatile organic compound (VOCs), and Trihalomethanes (THMs) (by-products of chlorination). Treatment can be at the tap (called point of use or POU) or the entire house.

Website resources: 

WEBSITE RESOURCES