The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted an emergency suspension on the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) for the first time in 40 years due to its harmful effects on fetal development. Exposure to DCPA has been linked to irreversible damage in fetuses, resulting in low birth weight, decreased IQ, and impaired brain development and motor skills.
Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, emphasized the urgency of removing DCPA from the market to prevent further damage.
DCPA was introduced in 1958 and has been used primarily in agricultural and non-agricultural settings, especially on crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions. Many pregnant women may have been unknowingly exposed to the pesticide, raising concerns about its widespread impact. The EPA’s recent report highlights the historical and ongoing presence of DCPA in various environments.
The EPA’s decision to suspend DCPA follows the failure of its sole manufacturer, AMVAC Chemical Corporation, to provide sufficient data on the pesticide’s health risks.
EPA Suspends Pesticide DCPA After Link to Fetal Development IssuesThis move underscores the agency’s commitment to public health amid mounting evidence of DCPA’s dangers, particularly to pregnant women. Despite AMVAC’s lack of immediate response, the EPA’s action reflects a decisive step toward mitigating these risks.
Previously, the EPA had identified potential harms from DCPA in the 1990s, particularly its use on turf grass like golf courses and private lawns, which accounted for 80% of its application. An assessment in 2023 further confirmed significant health risks, especially to pregnant women, even with protective measures in place. The exposure levels were found to be up to 20 times higher than the EPA’s safety estimates for fetuses, leading to the current suspension.
Advocacy groups and farmworker representatives have welcomed the EPA’s decision. Mily Treviño Sauceda, executive director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, called the suspension a “great first step” in protecting farmworkers, who are disproportionately affected by pesticide exposure.
Sylvia Wu, an attorney with the Center for Food Safety, also praised the EPA for recognizing and addressing the harm caused to farmworkers and their children, stressing the importance of immediate action against DCPA.