EPA Cancels All Registrations of Pesticide Dacthal, Seeks Public Comment
On Aug. 28, EPA announced it had initiated the process to cancel the registrations of all products containing dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, a pesticide also known as DCPA or Dacthal. This followed announcements from AMVAC Chemical Corporation, the sole manufacturer of DCPA, stating its intent to voluntarily cancel products containing the chemical in the United States and overseas. Earlier in August, EPA had suspended all registrations of DCPA, citing the pesticide’s effects on fetal development. This emergency suspension prohibited the sale, distribution, and use of DCPA products in the U.S. as of Aug. 7. EPA plans to publish the final cancelation order for DCPA following a public comment period set to end on Sept. 30.
DCPA is registered for use on crops such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, and onions and on non-residential turf such as golf courses and athletic fields. In 2023, EPA determined that the unborn babies of pregnant people exposed to DCPA through work or recreation could experience changes in thyroid hormone levels linked to low birth weight, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills. Health risks persisted even when engineering controls and personal protective equipment were used. For many crops and tasks, EPA found that DCPA levels in treated fields remain unsafe for 25 days or more.
AMVAC voluntarily cancelled the use of DCPA on turf in December 2023. While this practically eliminated exposures to the pesticide during recreational activities, the company’s proposed changes did not adequately address occupational health risks to those who work with and around DCPA, according to EPA.
EPA is now working with AMVAC to develop a return program for DCPA products, the agency stated a press release announcing the cancelation.
On Aug. 29, EPA published a notice for the voluntary cancelation of DCPA in the Federal Register. The notice provides additional information about the cancelation, including instructions for submitting public comments. All comments must be received by Sept. 30.
Those who wish to learn more about EPA’s actions related to DCPA may also read the agency’s press release and FAQ page.
