The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an emergency order that prevents the use of the pesticide, dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, also known as DCPA or Dacthal.
This is the first instance of the EPA taking an emergency action like this in nearly 40 years. The emergency suspension is being enforced under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which grants the EPA the authority to regulate the distribution, sale and use of pesticides to protect human health and the environment. This act allows the EPA to take immediate action when a pesticide poses an imminent hazard.
Let’s dive into the reasons the EPA has taken this emergency action and what it means for your business if you regularly use this pesticide.
Dacthal Side Effects
The EPA emergency order to stop the use of dacthal comes after research has shown that pregnant mothers
exposed to the pesticide are at a higher risk of experiencing fetal thyroid hormone level changes. These changes are linked to effects in babies that include:
- Low birth weight
- Impaired brain development
- Decreased IQ
- Impaired motor skills later in live (some that might be irreversible)
Pregnant mothers may or may not know they have been exposed to dacthal.
Where And How Dacthal Is Used
Dacthal is used as a pesticide to control weeds. Farmers frequently use it on crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and onions, according to the EPA.
In addition to its use on vegetables, the chemical is used in various other agricultural settings. It is often applied to control weed growth in ornamental plants, turf grasses and certain fruit crops. Its broad application has made it a popular choice among growers seeking to manage weed populations effectively and protect their crops from competition. However, concerns about its safety and environmental impact have led to increased scrutiny and regulatory action.
Insight Into The Emergency Order Decision
The EPA consulted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to better understand alternatives that are available to
growers, according to the agency. In 2013, the agency required AMVAC Chemical Corporation, which manufactures DCPA, to provide studies that support the claim that the chemical is safe to use under current regulations, as well as a study that looked at the effects of the chemical on thyroid development.
Over the past decade, the company either did not provide these studies or the studies they submitted were not sufficient to address the potential health issues of using dacthal, the EPA says.
In 2022, the EPA issued a Notice of Intent to Suspend the DCPA technical-grade product. In 2023, the agency released an assessment on the risk of exposure to products that contained DCPA. The assessment found that even when people wear personal protective equipment and engineering controls are used, there are still health risks associated with the use of dacthal.
According to the agency, pregnant women who handle DCPA products could be subjected to 4 to 20 times greater levels of exposure than what the EPA considers safe for unborn babies. Those who work in areas where the chemical has already been applied also face risks. Workers who have tasks like transplanting, weeding or harvesting plants are at particular risk.
The EPA also found that while product labels state that treated fields must be restricted for 12 hours after a dacthal application is applied, there is evidence that a treated field remains unsafe for up to 25 days or more. Spray that drifts into other areas can put nearby pregnant women and their unborn babies at risk.
On Aug. 6, 2024, the EPA issued the emergency order to stop the use of the pesticide after issuing a public warning earlier in the year.
What’s Next For Businesses
If you oversee an agricultural business or are a distributor of dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, you may have extra products on hand that you now must safely dispose of.
An hazardous waste disposal company can help you with the disposal process.
Experienced hazardous waste management companies specialize in handling toxic materials like dacthal and can ensure they are safely and legally disposed of according to the law.
Hazardous waste disposal companies can assist with:
- Determining the classification and handling requirements for your chemical waste
- Ensuring your disposal practices meet all local, state and federal regulations now and in the future
- Providing secure transportation of hazardous waste to treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDF)
- Using environmentally sound disposal methods, such as incineration or chemical treatment
Make sure you ask for a free quote so that you can budget for this specialized waste removal. While this emergency order announcement may have taken you by surprise, a reputable waste disposal company can help to ensure that your chemical waste is managed responsibly.
Comment