EPA Bans Harmful Weedkiller

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency order suspending all uses of the herbicide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) or Dacthal, due to its serious health risks to unborn babies. This significant decision marks the first emergency ban in almost 40 years.

Health Risks of DCPA

DCPA, a weedkiller widely used on crops like broccoli, onions, cabbage, and brussels sprouts, has been officially linked to severe health issues in fetuses. These health issues include low birth rate, impaired brain development, decreased I.Q. and motor skill challenges. The EPA’s findings suggest that pregnant women exposed to DCPA could experience harmful effects four to 20 times greater than what is considered safe.

Michal Freedhoff, the EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety, said in a statement, “DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately. In this case, pregnant women who may never even know they were exposed could give birth to babies that experience irreversible lifelong health problems.”

EPA’s Determined Efforts

The ban follows years of persistent efforts by the EPA to obtain data from AMVAC Chemical Corporation, the sole manufacturer of DCPA. Despite resistance, the EPA pressed forward, prioritizing public health. The decision has been referred to as “historic” by advocacy groups, emphasizing the importance of protecting farmworkers and their families. Advocates like Mily Treviño Sauceda, Executive Director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, praised the decision, highlighting the long-standing risks pesticides pose to farmworker communities. The move is seen as a crucial step in safeguarding reproductive health and preventing lifelong health problems caused by chemical exposure.

Criticism and Concerns

Despite the positive reception, some advocacy groups criticized the EPA for not acting sooner, pointing to evidence dating back to the 1990s, and the fact that DCPA has been banned from use on crops in the European Union since 2009. Studies have shown widespread exposure to DCPA in farmworker communities, raising concerns about the long-term health impacts.

Next Steps and Industry Response

The EPA plans to issue a notice of intent to cancel DCPA products permanently. While some farms oppose the ban, citing economic concerns and the importance of DCPA for controlling weeds, the EPA’s emergency suspension highlights the urgent need to prioritize public health over agricultural practices. The final decision on DCPA’s future will unfold over the coming months.

Vineet Dubey of Custodio & Dubey says, “The EPA’s emergency suspension is a critical step in addressing the need for robust regulatory enforcement and accountability for companies that fail to disclose the risks associated with their products, as public health and environmental safety must be prioritized. I am disappointed the ban of such a harmful chemical took so long but I am hopeful this will have a positive impact on similar battles being fought.”

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