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
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Congress to EPA: What’s Your BEEF with Meat Packers?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering new regulations that take aim at meat and poultry processors.
And some members of Congress have a BEEF with the EPA’s proposals.
The proposed rules: In late January, the EPA released the details of its proposed “Clean Water Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Meat and Poultry Products Point source category.”
Huh?
Basically, the EPA formally published its proposals to combat wastewater contaminants that come from slaughterhouses.
Okay… that makes more sense.
At the heart of the rules proposal is a concern from environmental groups about nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants that originate from slaughterhouses. In some cases, the wastewater goes directly into waterways. In other cases, the water goes to municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
But not everyone is on board with the EPA’s suggestions…
Congress responds: Last week, two U.S. representatives—Eric Burlison (MO) and Ron Estes (KS)—pushed back against the EPA and introduced the “Banning EPA’s Encroachment of Facilities (BEEF) Act.” If passed and signed by President Biden, the law would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the rule.
According to the lawmakers, the proposed rules place undue burden on small processors—costs that can be absorbed by larger companies.
Soundbite: “The… proposed regulation isn’t just an attack on family-run small businesses, it’s an attack on rural communities,” said Burlison. “These meat and poultry processors are the lifeblood of our communities. The BEEF Act… lets these hardworking Americans do what they do best, produce safe, affordable food for our families.”
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