The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a significant step to protect public health by issuing an emergency ban on the use of a pesticide known to pose serious risks to fetal development. This marks the first such emergency action by the EPA in four decades, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Immediate Ban on DCPA
On Tuesday, the EPA moved to halt the use of dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, or DCPA, a herbicide widely used on crops including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions. The decision came after mounting evidence suggested that exposure to the pesticide could lead to harmful changes in fetal thyroid hormone levels. Such changes are linked to severe outcomes like low birth weight, impaired brain development, reduced IQ, and compromised motor skills.
“DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately,” said Michal Freedhoff, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. Freedhoff emphasized the EPA’s duty to shield the public from hazardous chemicals, particularly vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, who may unknowingly be exposed and have children who suffer lifelong health consequences.
Long-Overdue Action
The European Union banned DCPA in 2009 due to similar health concerns. However, the EPA’s response in the United States has lagged, drawing criticism from environmental and public health advocates who argue that the delay has resulted in preventable harm.
Freedhoff noted that EPA scientists had been pressing for more data from AMVAC Chemical, the sole manufacturer of DCPA, for years. Despite these efforts, AMVAC only released a critical study on DCPA’s effects on thyroid development and function in November 2023. According to Freedhoff, this delay hindered the EPA’s ability to act sooner. “We did make some good-faith efforts to work with the company,” she explained. “But in the end, we didn’t think any of the measures proposed by the company would be implementable, enforceable, or effective.”
AMVAC, which markets the pesticide under the brand name Dacthal, did not respond to requests for comment on the EPA’s emergency action. In December, the company voluntarily withdrew Dacthal from use on turf, a move aimed at reducing exposure risks to golfers, athletes, and maintenance workers. However, the EPA deemed this insufficient to protect agricultural workers and other individuals still at risk from the herbicide’s use in farming.
Health Risks Linked to DCPA
DCPA has been a staple in U.S. agriculture since the 1950s. However, its persistence in the environment has led to contamination of various crops, including broccoli, cilantro, kale, and mustard greens, long after its application. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that nearly 60% of kale samples contained DCPA residues, along with significant levels found in collard greens and mustard greens.
The pesticide’s potential to disrupt thyroid hormone levels was demonstrated in studies on pregnant rats, which revealed severe developmental risks that could translate to human health concerns. This evidence was a key factor in the EPA’s decision to take swift action, according to internal communications.
Mixed Reactions from Advocacy Groups
The EPA’s emergency order has garnered praise from some corners of the environmental and labor advocacy communities. Mily Treviño Sauceda, executive director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, applauded the move, calling it “a great first step” toward safeguarding the reproductive health of farmworkers.
However, others, like Jeannie Economos of the Farmworker Association of Florida, criticized the EPA for taking too long to act. “It shouldn’t have taken this long, but we are glad that they did it finally,” Economos said. She highlighted the uncertainty about how many people have suffered from exposure to DCPA over the years, including babies born with low birth weights. Economos urged the EPA to target other harmful pesticides and encouraged the agricultural industry to move away from reliance on toxic chemicals.
“We cannot keep going this way because we’re hurting farmworkers, wildlife, the planet, and ourselves,” she concluded.
EPA’s Next Steps
The emergency order issued Tuesday suspends all registrations of DCPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), a temporary measure as the agency prepares to permanently revoke these registrations within the next 90 days. The EPA has also issued warnings to farmworkers regarding the dangers of DCPA and intends to continue monitoring the situation closely.
Water Filtration Keeps You Safe
For individuals concerned about potential pesticide contamination, including DCPA, in their water supply, reverse osmosis systems offer a reliable solution. These systems are highly effective in removing a wide range of contaminants, including pesticides, from drinking water. Whole-home water conditioners can also play a critical role in reducing chemical exposure by treating the water used throughout the household, ensuring a safer environment for all residents. As the EPA continues to address chemical safety, these water filtration options provide an added layer of protection.
Source: The Washington Post