The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Issues an Emergency Order
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency order to suspend all registrations for pesticide products containing DCPA, also known as Dacthal. This decision stems from growing concerns about the chemical’s risk to human health, particularly for pregnant women and the potential harm to their fetuses. Exposure to DCPA has been linked to thyroid hormone disruptions in fetuses.
Thyroid hormone disruptions in fetuses can cause lifelong developmental problems. They include impaired brain development and motor skills. The EPA found that these risks were too great to allow continued use during the lengthy cancellation process.
Despite attempts by the manufacturer, AMVAC Chemical Corporation, to mitigate these risks through proposed changes in product labeling and usage, the EPA determined that no practical changes could make DCPA usage safe. The suspension is immediate and prohibits the sale, distribution, or use of any DCPA-containing products.
Health Risks of DCPA Exposure – Dacthal Symptoms
The core of the EPA’s concern revolves around the potential harm to fetuses from DCPA or Dacthal exposure. Studies indicate that even low levels of exposure can cause disruptions in thyroid hormones critical to fetal development.
People exposed to DPCA or Dacthal may experience the following symptoms. The disruptions in thyroid hormones may result in various long-term health problems, including:
- Low birth weight
- Impaired brain development
- Decreased IQ
- Impaired motor skills
- Reduced bone growth
These effects may not be immediately apparent at birth but can manifest later in life, making the consequences of DCPA exposure particularly concerning. Adults exposed to DCPA or Dacthal may not experience the same thyroid-related issues, but the risks to unborn children make its continued use too dangerous.
EPA’s Decision and Mitigation Efforts
The EPA’s order comes after a thorough assessment of the risks and benefits of DCPA. While it has proven effective in controlling weeds for crops such as Brassica vegetables, onions, and strawberries, the benefits do not outweigh the health risks associated with its use. The EPA determined that the risks to public health were significant enough to warrant an emergency suspension of the product’s registration without delay.
AMVAC Chemical Corporation had proposed several changes to reduce exposure, such as:
- Limiting the amount of product handled daily
- Restricting the use of certain equipment for application
- Requiring additional protective gear for those handling the product
Despite these proposed changes, the EPA found that they would not adequately reduce the risks to acceptable levels. There was no reliable mechanism for ensuring compliance with the new restrictions, and enforcement of voluntary changes would be difficult. As a result, the only option was a complete suspension of DCPA registrations.
The Impact on Agriculture and Consumers
While the suspension will impact some farmers who rely on DCPA for weed control, particularly for Brassica crops and green onions, the EPA has concluded that alternative herbicides are available. Growers may face increased costs as they transition to these alternatives, but the overall effect on food prices is expected to be minimal. Many other herbicides can effectively manage the same weeds targeted by DCPA, although some specialty crop growers may experience greater challenges.
The EPA’s assessment also showed that the risks of continued DCPA use, especially to pregnant individuals and unborn children, far outweigh the economic benefits. As the agency continues its investigation into the product, consumers and growers will need to adjust to the suspension and seek safer alternatives for crop management.
What This Means for You
If you work in agriculture or use DCPA products, it’s important to follow the EPA’s order immediately. Stop using any products containing DCPA, and consult with agricultural experts to find safer alternatives for weed control. Pregnant individuals or those concerned about DCPA exposure should avoid areas where the pesticide was applied and consult with healthcare providers if they suspect exposure.
For more information, you can visit the official EPA website or contact the Office of Pesticide Programs for guidance. The EPA will continue to monitor the situation, and further actions may follow, including permanent cancellation of DCPA products.
This emergency action highlights the importance of ongoing pesticide regulation to protect public health, particularly for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children. The EPA will continue to assess pesticide risks and take swift action when necessary to prevent imminent hazards.
KBA’s Attorneys Have Decades of Experience Litigation Brian Injury Cases
The injuries at issue here are significant. Assuring sufficient compensation requires understanding neuroscience and the lifelong consequences of the injuries Dacthal can cause. The lawyers at KBA Attorneys have litigated brain injury cases in many contexts.
For example, KBA Attorneys have handled: birth injury cases; lead poisoning cases; TBI, PTSD, and other trauma related injuries; cases involving addiction and neurodivergence; brain injuries and paralysis from falls, medical malpractice, and products. KBA’s attorneys understand the underlying medicine and science. They have worked with preeminent experts in the neuroscience and related disciplines.
Critically important, they have vast experience developing long-term life care plans for people with injuries like those Dacthal causes. They work with vocational rehabilitation experts who are leaders in the field. Building a case for these kinds of injuries requires knowledge and experience to get it right. KBA has both and is here to support those Dacthal injured.
KBA Attorneys is Investigating DCPA/Dacthal Claims
Contact KBA Attorneys if you have been exposed and have suffered health consequences because of DCPA. If you were pregnant during exposure of the chemical and you baby has suffered effects such as low birth weight contact us. We can help you seek legal action for the effects that Dacthal has caused your family.