The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency ban of a popular weed killer over risks to unborn babies. This marks the first time in 40 years the EPA has issued an emergency ban like this.
The order will remove the pesticide commonly known as DCPA, or dacthal, from the market. DCPA is used to control weeds in crops like strawberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions.
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It can affect fetal thyroid levels, leading to low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ and impaired motor skills later in life.
“DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately,” Michal Freedhoff, the EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said.
The agency’s risk assessment found handling DCPA products while pregnant could expose fetuses to between four and 20 times the chemical level considered safe. The EPA also said environments where the pesticide has already been applied may be just as risky, especially for agricultural workers weeding or harvesting in areas where it’s used.
And while product labels advise restricted entry into fields for 12 hours after DCPA is used, the EPA said there is evidence levels may still be unsafe for nearly a month.
The European Union banned DCPA use on crops in 2009.
