The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued an emergency order to stop the use of the pesticide DCPA, which can harm fetuses. The herbicide is used on crops like broccoli, onions, kale, and strawberries, but exposure during pregnancy can lead to negative effects on fetal thyroid hormone levels, resulting in issues like low birth weight and impaired brain development. The EPA’s assistant administrator stated that DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately. This decision was seen as historic by farmworker organizations, as they have been advocating for protection from harmful pesticides for years.
DCPA has been banned in the EU since 2009, and the suspension in the US follows a decade of discussions between the EPA and the sole manufacturer of the pesticide, AMVAC Chemical Corporation. Despite multiple requests for data on DCPA’s health impacts, including a comprehensive study on its effects on thyroid development, the company’s submissions were considered insufficient by the EPA. The recent review of DCPA was part of a 15-year re-evaluation process for registered pesticides to ensure they pose no adverse health effects or environmental harm.
This emergency order highlights the EPA’s commitment to protecting people from exposure to hazardous chemicals, especially pregnant women at risk of unknowingly exposing their unborn babies to harmful substances. The decision to suspend the use of DCPA is a significant step towards safeguarding public health and preventing irreversible lifelong health problems in children.
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