EPA Takes Bold Step: Bans Harmful Pesticide DCPA Linked to Birth Defects

Pesticides

In a historic move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took emergency action to ban a widely used pesticide, citing serious health risks to farmworkers, pregnant women and unborn babies. Known as DCPA or Dacthal, the product has long been a staple in the agriculture industry, particularly for vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and onions.

Why Dacthal Poses a Real Risk to Human Health

Dacthal is linked to alarming health issues, particularly for unborn babies. The EPA’s recent findings indicate that exposure to Dacthal could disrupt fetal thyroid hormone levels, leading to low birth weight, impaired brain development, and other potentially life-altering complications. Adding to the concern, a peer-reviewed study published in ScienceDirect found that Dacthal might also be a potential cancer risk. 

A Long-Awaited Victory for Environmental Advocates

Dacthal has been on the market since 1958, and for more than a decade, the EPA had been urging its manufacturer to provide data on the chemical’s health impacts. It wasn’t until 2023 that the manufacturer finally complied, leading to the agency’s swift decision to issue a warning in April. The warning highlighted the “serious, permanent, and irreversible health risks” associated with the pesticide.

Environmental and public health advocates have long fought for such a ban. Teresa Romero, president of United Farm Workers, expressed relief, stating that farmworkers shouldn’t have to endanger their children’s health just to put food on our tables.

“Farmworkers should not have to put their children at risk by doing the work needed to grow our food,” Romero said in a statement posted by Earthjustice. “EPA is taking the right step in immediately stopping use of this pesticide.”

What is Dacthal and why is it dangerous?
Dacthal, or DCPA, is a herbicide that has been used in the U.S. since the 1950s to control weeds in crops like kale and mustard greens. It is considered dangerous because it has been linked to serious health issues, including thyroid tumors, cancer, and developmental harm to fetuses. These risks make it particularly hazardous for farmworkers and pregnant women.

How are chemical companies responsible for selling toxic chemicals?
Chemical companies that manufacture and distribute products containing harmful chemicals can be held legally responsible if their products cause harm to consumers. Courts have awarded substantial damages in cases where plaintiffs developed health conditions, such as cancer, after exposure to toxic chemicals like those found in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller. These legal actions emphasize the accountability of companies for the safety of their products.

How We Help Victims of Pesticides

Our birth defect litigation attorneys understand the pain that families face when coping with life-altering birth defects—and the frustration of knowing they could have been prevented. Our team has over 40 years of combined experience in birth defects litigation in cases involving semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, pesticides, and energy production. We have the resources and experience to fight on behalf of our clients against corporations who put them in danger. Contact us to see how we can help you and your family receive justice for birth defects.