For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is using its emergency authority to stop the sale of a dangerous pesticide. The EPA has ordered an immediate halt in sales of DCPA, also known as Dacthal, that has been linked to serious health risks to agricultural workers and pregnant women.
The Grave Risks of DCPA
Studies dating back to the 1990s have confirmed serious health risks associated with exposure to Dacthal, including impaired brain development, low birthweight and other birth defects. Exposure to Dacthal is also a serious risk for farmworkers, particularly those who work with leafy vegetables like kale, as well as broccoli, artichokes, beans and cucumbers.
DCPA has been found in alarmingly high concentrations in certain vegetables. A 2019 study found that nearly 60% of kale samples tested by the USDA contained traces of DCPA.
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EPA Takes Urgent Action
Before implementing the ban, the EPA had been struggling to obtain critical health information from DCPA’s manufacturer, AMVAC Chemical Corp. In 2013, the EPA required AMVAC to submit an additional study showing the chemical’s effects on the fetal thyroid among other information. AMVAC’s research, finally submitted to the EPA in 2022, showed even low doses of DCPA exposure can harm a developing fetus.
The EPA’s action means DCPA is banned immediately. It is the first time in nearly 40 years the EPA has exercised its emergency authority to suspend the use of a pesticide to “prevent imminent hazard.”
Other herbicides and pesticides under scrutiny
In addition to DCPA, herbicides like glyphosate and paraquat have sparked concern about serious health risks. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a “probable human carcinogen” based on its links to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
When it comes to legal responsibility, corporations that manufacture and distribute products containing harmful chemicals can be held accountable if their products cause harm to consumers. In several high-profile cases, courts have awarded substantial damages to plaintiffs who developed cancer after using Roundup.
FAQs
What is Dacthal? Dacthal, also known as DCPA, is an herbicide that has been used in the U.S. since the 1950s to control weeds in crops like kale and mustard greens. It’s now being banned due to its significant health risks.
Why is Dacthal dangerous? Dacthal has been linked to thyroid tumors, cancer, and harm to developing fetuses. It’s particularly dangerous for farmworkers and pregnant women.
What does the EPA’s emergency order mean? The EPA’s emergency order immediately bans the use of Dacthal while the agency begins the process of permanently canceling its registration. This is a significant step to protect public health.
How We Help Victims of Pesticide Exposure
With a wealth of experience prosecuting herbicide and pesticide exposure cases, our Hawaii pesticides lawyers have battled corporate giants on behalf of individuals like you for over 40 years, aggressively fighting to hold them responsible for failing to keep workers safe. If you have suffered catastrophic injury or cancer caused by Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller or other harmful chemicals, we can help.
