In a rare move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency order on Tuesday to suspend all uses of the herbicide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), also known as Dacthal. The weedkiller, used on crops like broccoli and onions, has been linked to serious health risks for fetuses, including low birth weight and impaired brain development. The EPA stated that pregnant women exposed to DCPA could experience exposures significantly higher than safe levels, leading to irreversible lifelong health problems for their babies.
The EPA’s decision follows years of efforts to obtain health risk data from the company. Advocacy groups have long criticized the delay, noting that studies, including a 2019 University of California study, have highlighted significant exposure to DCPA among farmworker communities. The chemical has been banned in the European Union since 2009 due to its health risks.
Some farms oppose the ban, citing the herbicide’s importance in controlling weeds and its economic benefits. However, the EPA plans to issue a notice of intent to permanently cancel DCPA products. This process could take months or years, but the emergency suspension is effective immediately to mitigate imminent hazards.
