On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took a rare “emergency action” to suspend all registrations of the herbicide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
This is the first time in nearly 40 years that such an emergency measure has been enacted, one that the EPA says was prompted by the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to obtain overdue data and address any risks posed by this herbicide.
The EPA’s decision stems from concerns that exposure to DCPA can cause changes in fetal thyroid hormone levels in unborn babies, potentially leading to low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills later in life — some of which may be irreversible. California-based AMVAC Chemical Corporation is the sole manufacturer of DCPA, which is primarily used on broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions.
“DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately,” said Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The EPA’s responsibility is to protect people from harmful chemicals, especially pregnant women who might unknowingly be exposed, leading to lifelong health issues for their babies. That’s why, for the first time in almost 40 years, we’re using our emergency suspension authority to stop the use of this pesticide.”
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) supported the decision, highlighting farmworkers’ difficult conditions, including exposure to harmful pesticides. “This emergency action by the EPA prioritizes farmworker health and safety, particularly for pregnant women. We must continue to ensure all farmworkers receive the protections and rights they deserve,” he said.
Mily Treviño Sauceda, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas’ executive director, also praised the decision.
“As an organization led by farmworker women, we know the harm pesticides like DCPA can cause. This emergency action is a crucial first step towards protecting our reproductive health and families,” she stated.
Background on DCPA
DCPA is under registration review to ensure it doesn’t cause unreasonable adverse effects on health or the environment. The EPA consulted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and required AMVAC Chemical Corporation to submit studies on its effects. However, the EPA says that AMVAC has failed to provide sufficient data for nearly a decade.
In April 2022, the EPA issued a Notice of Intent to Suspend DCPA due to AMVAC’s non-compliance. While AMVAC eventually submitted some required studies, unacceptable risks remained. In May 2023, the EPA released an assessment highlighting significant health risks associated with DCPA, especially for unborn babies.
Despite AMVAC’s attempts to address these concerns, the EPA found that no practical measures could mitigate the risks. Consequently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan determined that the continued use of DCPA posed an imminent hazard, necessitating an immediate suspension.
The emergency order is effective immediately. The EPA plans to issue a notice of intent to cancel DCPA products within the next 90 days.