The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invoked its emergency authority for the first time in about 40 years to stop the sale of a pesticide, DCPA (also known as Dacthal), due to its harmful effects on unborn babies.
The EPA’s decision was driven by concerns that exposure to DCPA could lead to irreversible damage to fetuses, including impaired brain development and low birth weight. The agency noted that they faced challenges in obtaining critical health data from the pesticide’s manufacturer, which contributed to their decision to halt sales.
EPA officials emphasized the potential dangers to pregnant women who might be unknowingly exposed to the pesticide. Michal Freedhoff, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, highlighted the severity of the risks, stating that such exposure could result in lifelong health issues for the affected babies.
EPA Acts to Ban DCPA Pesticide, Citing Severe Risks to Unborn Babies and Insufficient Safety DataThe pesticide is primarily used on crops like broccoli and cabbage, with significant amounts being applied in recent years.
In 2023, the EPA conducted an assessment of DCPA and determined that it posed serious health risks, even when workers wore personal protective equipment. Although the manufacturer recommended staying off treated fields for 12 hours, the EPA found that harmful levels of the pesticide could persist for over 25 days. This raised significant concerns about the safety of continued use.
The pesticide is produced by AMVAC Chemical Corp., which has not yet responded to the EPA’s decision. Earlier in the year, the company suggested new safety protocols, such as extending the waiting period before workers re-enter treated fields and limiting the amount of pesticide used. However, the EPA concluded that these measures were insufficient to protect public health.
Given the urgency of the situation and the potential risks involved, the EPA determined that an emergency order was necessary to prevent further harm. The agency explained that the standard review process would take too long, leaving people at risk of exposure to the dangerous pesticide in the meantime.