U.S. EPA Issues Order Banning DCPA Immediately Nationwide

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a historic emergency order on August 6, 2024, outlawing the herbicide DCPA, popularly known as Dacthal, across the country. Aiming to address issues with human health, agriculture, and the chemical industry, this historic move—the first in almost 40 years—halts the registration, sale, and manufacturing of any DCPA-containing product.

Assessing the Consequences and Dangers of DCPA Use

The main use of DCPA is weed control in crops such as onions, broccoli, kale, and cabbage. In 2022, the EPA requested and received crucial thyroid function studies and other research from AMVAC Chemical Corporation, the only manufacturer of DCPA. However, the EPA temporarily froze all DCPA product registrations in 2023 until further information was filed owing to lacking critical data.

The EPA noted in its risk assessment for 2023 that pregnant women and their foetuses are at serious health risk from DCPA, even in the presence of preventative measures. As a result, the EPA has declared an immediate suspension and intends to revoke DCPA product registrations in a 90-day period.

Strengthening Women’s Rights and Farm Worker Protections

EPA executives took a firm stand in favor of public health, emphasizing that they will protect expectant mothers and foetuses from undetected exposure to DCPA. This substance has been connected to permanent health problems like low birth weight and developmental delays.

With An emphasis on reproductive health, EPA representatives also underlined the need for tougher measures to protect agricultural workers’ rights, health, and family safety.