EPA issues emergency order against DCPA pesticide use

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the emergency suspension of all registrations of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

This is the first time in almost 40 years the EPA has taken this type of emergency action.

DCPA is a pesticide registered to control weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. DCPA is currently undergoing registration review, a process that requires reevaluating registered pesticides every 15 years to ensure they cause no unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment.

In deciding whether to issue the emergency order, the EPA consulted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to understand how growers use DCPA and alternatives to this pesticide.

DCPA exposure in pregnant women can cause thyroid level changes in their unborn babies. These changes are linked to low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ and impaired motor skills later in life.

Effective Aug. 7, DCPA may not be sold, distributed or used in any manner. Consumers with current stocks of the product cannot use it. 

The team at AmericanHort responds to the news, "DCPA, produced by a single manufacturer, AMVAC, is used to control weeds in onions, cole crops, strawberries, and various other vegetable crops, as well as ornamental turf in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. This pesticide is not commonly used in the nursery industry and is not labeled for greenhouse use, as it is a preemergent herbicide applied to the soil. While DCPA is not essential for the ornamental nursery industry, we have concerns about the EPA's approach in canceling this registration. AmericanHort will continue to monitor developments as this issue unfolds."

The following products contain DCPA and are affected by the EPA’s order:

• Dacthal Flowable Herbicide (EPA Reg. No. 5481-487), the only product registered for use in Florida.
• Dacthal W-75 Herbicide (EPA Reg. No. WI050002), an older formulation possibly contained within some chemical storage facilities.
• Technical Chlorthal Dimethyl (EPA Reg. No. 54851-495), a technical-grade material primarily used to formulate DCPA. Possibly found in some research labs.

Additional information is available in the DCPA registration review docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0374.

Click here to read the DCPA Emergency Order.