In August 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced the emergency suspension of all registrations of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, also known as DCPA or Dacthal. The agency took this extraordinary action because unborn babies whose pregnant mothers are exposed to Dacthal could experience changes to fetal thyroid hormone levels leading to health issues. Phillips Law Group is investigating cases for families affected by DCPA exposure and if you or a loved one was impacted, we urge you to get in touch with our pesticide Dacthal lawyers without delay.
EPA’s Dacthal Announcement
On August 6, the EPA announced the emergency suspension of all registrations of Dacthal under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
“This is the first time in almost 40 years EPA has taken this type of emergency action, following several years of unprecedented efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to require the submission of long-overdue data and then assess and address the risk this pesticide poses,” the agency’s notice revealed.
“Pregnant mothers…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. “It’s EPA’s job to protect people from exposure to dangerous chemicals.”
What is Dacthal?
According to the EPA, DCPA or Dacthal is a pesticide registered to control weeds in agricultural and non-agricultural settings. It is mostly used on crops such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions. It is also currently undergoing registration review, which requires reevaluating registered pesticides every 15 years to make sure they don’t cause unreasonable negative effects on human health or the environment.
Importantly, in May 2023, the agency released an assessment of the risks of occupational and residential exposure to products containing DCPA after an analysis “of the effects of DCPA on thyroid development and function in adults and in developing young before and after birth.”
Unfortunately, that assessment found health hazards associated with DCPA use “even when personal protective equipment and engineering controls are used,” the EPA noted. “The most serious risks are to the unborn babies of pregnant individuals.”
Dacthal Health Concerns
In addition to these health risks for pregnant mothers and their babies, the Delaware Health and Social Services Division of Public Health reported that “While Dacthal is thought to have few health effects, its dioxin ingredients can have harmful health effects. 2,3,7,8-TCDD is the most harmful of these dioxins.”
A FAQ sheet on Dacthal from the agency noted that harmful results of Dacthal exposure may include cancer, birth defects, problems with the thymus gland, and liver damage, and other effects include problems with the immune system, reproductive failure, skin damage, and weight loss.
DCPA Pesticide Dacthal Lawsuits
Women who worked on farms where vegetables were grown and where Dacthal was used for weed control and whose babies were born with health issues including low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills later in life may be eligible to file a Dacthal lawsuit. Growing evidence linking the pesticide Dacthal to adverse health effects and the recent EPA announcement could mean there will be many more Dacthal lawsuits in the near future.
For attorneys representing clients in pesticide Dacthal lawsuits, it’s crucial to understand the complexities of the laws around the issue, including environmental regulations. These cases often involve detailed scientific evidence, expert testimony, and the challenge of proving causation between exposure and illness. Ultimately, successful litigation may result in significant compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Work With a DCPA Pesticide Attorney
If you or a loved one has been exposed to Dacthal and your baby or theirs suffered harm after the exposure, it’s essential to seek legal counsel that will advocate and communicate with you every step of the way when pursuing a claim. A pesticide Dacthal lawyer can help navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and pursue justice against those responsible for exposing you to this harmful substance.
Please call Phillips Law Group today at 602-222-2222 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our firm has been in business for more than 30 years and our team wants to help you seek justice for the harm done to you or your loved one after Dacthal exposure. Contact us now to learn more.
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