The EPA on August 6 issued an emergency order to suspend all registrations of dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA, or Dacthal), a pesticide primarily used on crops. EPA warned in April 2024 that Dacthal could harm the health of people who are exposed to it during normal use. EPA has been investigating this pesticide’s safety, and determined that there was no way to prevent health risks. Dacthal is especially dangerous for pregnant women. It can harm the development of babies during pregnancy and cause low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills. Because of this, EPA ordered the immediate suspension of sale and use of this pesticide.
Tag: pesticide
EPA Warns Farmworkers About Risks of Dacthal
On April 1st, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the herbicide tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), commonly known as Dacthal, may pose a risk to people who apply the pesticide or enter treated fields. This was determined during a registration review, which is done every 15 years to ensure the safety of registered pesticides. DCPA is an herbicide widely used to control weeds, particularly in agricultural settings where crops like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and onions are grown.
The agency estimated that pregnant individuals working with DCPA products could be exposed to levels of the herbicide that are 4 to 20 times higher than what is considered safe, even if proper personal protective equipment and engineering controls are used. Additionally, the current label restricts entry into treated areas for 12 hours, but these areas may remain unsafe for 25 days or longer. The babies of people exposed to Dacthal during pregnancy could be at risk for low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills.
The EPA is issuing a warning to farmworkers based on these findings, and is in the process of determining if use of this pesticide needs to be suspended or cancelled.