DCPA Ban Effective Immediately

The EPA has declared an emergency ban on dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate—aka DCPA or Dacthal. 

The pesticide has been found to cause irreversible damage to fetuses in utero if they’re exposed to the chemical.

This is the first time the agency has used its emergency authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act in 40 years. 

Zoom out: DCPA has been registered for weed control in ag and non-ag. It’s mainly used for crops including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions.

Soundbite: “DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately.” — Michal Freedhoff, EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention

Trust the science: The EPA released its information on the risk of DCPA in May 2023, after it analyzed a thyroid study submitted by DCPA manufacturer AMVAC Chemical Corporation. The results showed health risks associated with DCPA use, even with engineering controls and personal protective equipment in use. 

The biggest risk was to fetuses. Those who are pregnant could potentially be exposed to amounts four to 20 times greater than what the EPA has qualified as safe for the unborn.

And this: DCPA levels in a treated field are at unsafe levels for more than 25 days after the spray.

Soundbite: “EPA knew that DCPA was harming farmworkers and their children, and we’re glad that EPA recognized that that harm to this population group required immediate suspension or removal of this toxic pesticide.” — Sylvia Wu, attorney with the Center for Food Safety