In a stunning move, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, also known as the EPA, issued an emergency order to suspend all registrations of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) on August 6. The suspension came after concerns that the pesticide could cause damage to fetuses when they’re exposed in utero. 

EPA Bans Dacthal: What the Suspension Means

According to a press release, the EPA took this action because “unborn babies whose pregnant mothers are exposed to DCPA, sometimes without even knowing the exposure has occurred, could experience changes to fetal thyroid hormone levels, and these changes are generally linked to low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills later in life, some of which may be irreversible.”

“DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff.

According to an EPA report, Dacthal was initially introduced in 1958 to control weeds in agricultural and nonagricultural settings, primarily for crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions. But pregnant women may have had no idea they were exposed to the pesticide. Those women may then give birth to babies that encounter irreversible, lifelong health issues. 

“That’s why for the first time in almost 40 years, EPA is using its emergency suspension authority to stop the use of a pesticide,” Freedhoff added in the news release. 

According to the EPA, DCPA is currently going through a registration review. This process requires reevaluating registered pesticides every 15 years to make sure they don’t cause unreasonable negative effects on human health or the environment.

In April 2024, the agency issued a public warning concerning the substantial health risks to unborn babies of pregnant individuals exposed to the pesticide “and its intent to pursue action to address the serious, and in some instances, permanent, and irreversible health risks associated with the pesticide as quickly as possible.” This latest Emergency Order is effective immediately.

DCPA May Have Been Harming Farmworkers

Sylvia Wu, an attorney with the Center for Food Safety – which has advocated for the EPA to stop the use of Dacthal – told USA Today, “EPA knew that DCPA was harming farmworkers and their children, and we’re glad that EPA recognized that that harm to this population group required immediate suspension or removal of this toxic pesticide.”

At this time, the agency has decided there are “no practical mitigation measures that can be put in place to allow DCPA’s continued use.” If you or a loved one was exposed to this pesticide in the past, before the EPA banned Dacthal pesticide use, you may need to consider legal action if you or your loved one was pregnant at the time and the baby ultimately suffered major health issues. 

Please contact our firm today to discuss whether or not you might have a Dacthal case. Our team is dedicated to pursuing justice for those harmed by the negligence of others and by exposure to toxic substances like pesticides. Give us a call now to find out more.