They are protecting future generations.
In a landmark decision, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Tuesday that it has banned the use of dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), also known as Dacthal, a pesticide that poses risks to fetal development. This herbicide, used on crops like broccoli, onions, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, has been shown to affect fetal thyroid hormone levels when pregnant women are exposed, potentially leading to low birth weight, developmental delays, and other long-term health issues.
Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, emphasized the urgency of this ban. She stated that DCPA’s risks are significant enough to warrant immediate removal from the market, citing concerns that exposure could cause irreversible health problems in unborn babies. This move represents the EPA’s first use of emergency suspension authority in nearly 40 years.
The European Union has already prohibited DCPA since 2009. Environmental groups have praised the EPA’s decision, though they argue it is overdue. Alexis Temkin, Senior Toxicologist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), criticized the agency for not acting sooner despite long-standing warnings about the pesticide’s dangers to farmworkers and pregnant individuals.
Farmworker advocates also welcomed the ban, which takes effect immediately. Mily Treviño Sauceda, Executive Director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, highlighted the decision as a significant step towards addressing the harms caused by pesticides in agricultural communities. The EPA’s action follows a prolonged period of negotiations with the pesticide’s sole manufacturer, AMVAC Chemical Corp. The agency’s review of DCPA is part of a regular process to reassess the safety of registered pesticides every 15 years.
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