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DACTHAl (DCPA) HERBICIDE
EXPOSURE
The EPA has issued an Emergency Order to Stop Use of the herbicide, Dacthal which has been shown to cause harm to unborn children.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency order for herbicide Dacthal, also known as dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) or chlorthal-dimethyl. The order announces the emergency suspension of sales and use of the weed killer Dacthal due to potential fetal harm and other serious side effects.
DCPA Weed Killer Exposure
DCPA is an herbicide used to control weeds for vegetable crops like broccoli, cabbage and onions but has also been used on lawns, landscaping and golf courses. In some cases, people who were exposed may not have known of the dangers of exposure.
Common Ways One Might Be Exposed:
Occupational Exposure: Farmworkers, gardeners, and other individuals who handle or apply DCPA-containing products are at the highest risk of exposure.
Residential Exposure: People living near agricultural fields or areas where DCPA is used may be exposed to the chemical through drift during spraying, or through contaminated soil or water.
Recreational Exposure: Individuals using public spaces like golf courses, parks, or sports fields where DCPA has been applied may come into contact with the chemical.
DCPA Exposure May Be Linked To:
Low birth weight
Impaired brain development
Decreased IQ
Impaired motor skills
Decreased bone deposition
Exposure to DCPA may be life-threatening or result in permanent injury and lifelong developmental challenges.
AMVAC Chemical Corporation Production of Dacthal (DCPA)
AMVAC Chemical Corporation is a U.S.-based agrochemical company that develops and distributes a wide range of agricultural chemicals, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. One of its notable products is Dacthal (DCPA), a pre-emergent herbicide used in crops like onions and broccoli. The company has faced scrutiny from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to concerns over the health and environmental risks associated with DCPA.
Products that contain DCPA include:
Dacthal
Dacthal W-75
Dacthal Flowable Herbicide
Dacthal 6F
DCPA 75WDG
DCPA 6E
DCPA 75 DF
Unborn fetuses of pregnant women and other people who were exposed to DCPA may have been placed at risk of birth defect or serious injury due to pesticide poisoning.
CONCERNS
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) highlighted a long history of concerns regarding DCPA, including studies dating back to the 1980s that suggested its potential to cause cancer and disrupt thyroid function. Despite these findings, DCPA remained on the market for decades. The EWG consistently urged the EPA to take action, citing evidence from both government and independent studies showing significant risks, particularly to pregnant women and farmworkers. The emergency order finally addresses these longstanding health concerns.
The EPA has reported that pregnant women and others may have been exposed up to 20 times the level considered safe for fetuses, even when using personal protective equipment or when not actively working with Dacthal.
The stop order given for DCPA is the most serious action the EPA may undertake and was issued after the manufacturer AMVAC Chemical failed to provide safety data and information on health risks. This may have left pregnant women and others unaware of the dangers of exposure.
Pregnant women who were exposed to Dacthal (DCPA) may be eligible for compensation.
SOURCES:
EPA emergency order immediately suspends all uses of highly toxic weedkiller DCPA, sold under brand name Dacthal
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