EPA Cancels All Dacthal Pesticide Products Due to Potential Impact on Fetal Development

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a historic step in suspending the use of the toxic herbicide Dacthal, also known as DCPA or dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate. This unprecedented action, the first of its kind in nearly 40 years, is a response to the agency’s findings that exposure to Dacthal during pregnancy can have severe and potentially irreversible consequences for unborn babies. The EPA’s decision to immediately halt the sale and application of this pesticide underscores the gravity of the health risks it poses, particularly to vulnerable populations such as farmworkers and their families.

Link Between Dacthal Exposure and Impaired Fetal Development

Dacthal is a widely used weedkiller primarily employed in the cultivation of crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions. However, the EPA’s thorough assessment has revealed that exposure to this pesticide, even at low levels, can have devastating effects on the developing fetus. The agency’s research has linked Dacthal to changes in fetal thyroid hormone levels, which are generally associated with a range of adverse outcomes, some of which may be irreversible, including:

• Low birth weight
• Impaired brain development
• Decreased IQ
• Impaired motor skills

Impacts on Pregnant Women and Their Babies

The EPA’s findings are particularly alarming for pregnant individuals, as they may be exposed to the pesticide Dacthal without even knowing it. The agency estimates that some pregnant workers handling Dacthal products could be subjected to exposures four to 20 times greater than what is considered safe for unborn babies. However, this risk extends beyond just those directly applying the pesticide, as evidence suggests that Dacthal can linger in treated fields for weeks, putting pregnant individuals who enter or work in these areas at risk as well.

Risks to Farmworkers and Communities

Farmworkers and their families face an elevated risk of Dacthal exposure, as the pesticide is commonly used in agricultural settings. The EPA’s research has revealed that more than half of adolescent girls from farmworker communities in the Salinas Valley of California had been exposed to Dacthal. This alarming statistic underscores the disproportionate burden borne by these vulnerable populations, who are often at the forefront of food production but may lack the resources or information to protect themselves and their children from the dangers of toxic chemicals like Dacthal.

The EPA’s Historic Emergency Suspension of Dacthal/DCPA

The EPA’s decision to suspend the use of Dacthal is the culmination of a long and arduous process, during which the agency has repeatedly attempted to compel the sole manufacturer, AMVAC Chemical Corporation, to provide comprehensive data on the pesticide’s health effects. After years of grappling with AMVAC’s delayed and insufficient responses, the EPA in August 2024 issued an emergency order to suspend all registrations of Dacthal under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 

“Today’s announcement is a critical step towards protecting unborn babies from the serious health risks of this dangerous pesticide,” stated Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff in a press release. “AMVAC’s decision to voluntarily and quickly cancel their DCPA registrations is a huge win for public health and will ensure pregnant women are no longer exposed to a chemical that could cause their babies to experience irreversible lifelong health problems.”

Affected Individuals Pursuing Dacthal Birth Defect Claims Against AMVAC

The EPA’s suspension of Dacthal registrations and its pursuit of a permanent cancellation order have significant legal implications, both for the pesticide’s manufacturer and for those affected by its use. Dacthal pesticide attorneys are currently investigating potential lawsuits against AMVAC Chemical Corporation. These legal actions may seek to hold the company accountable for its failure to provide comprehensive data on the health risks of Dacthal, despite repeated requests from the EPA over the course of a decade.

Product liability lawyers argue that AMVAC’s delayed and insufficient responses could have contributed to the continued exposure of pregnant individuals and their unborn babies to this toxic chemical, resulting in serious and potentially irreversible health consequences. The lawsuits may aim to secure compensation for the damages caused and advocate for stricter regulations to prevent similar issues in the future.

Pursuing Compensation for Injuries Allegedly Linked to Dacthal Pesticide Exposure

Individuals who may be eligible to file Dacthal lawsuits include pregnant women who were exposed to the pesticide, either through direct handling or by entering or working in treated fields, as well as their children who were born with birth defects or developed health issues later in life due to in-utero Dacthal exposure. The potential damages sought in these lawsuits may include compensation for low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills, all of which have been linked to Dacthal exposure during pregnancy. If you or someone you love has suffered one or more of these injuries and you believe the pesticide Dacthal (DCPA) to be the cause, contact us today to explore your legal options.