The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is banning the use of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal), effective immediately.
This is the first time in 40 years the agency has taken this type of emergency action. DCPA is commonly used for weed control with crops such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and onions.
“EPA has taken 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,” the agency said.
