EPA Halts Commercial Use of Herbicide Product Dacthal (DCPA)
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final cancellation of all Dacthal pesticide registrations nationwide, effective officially on November 1, 2024. This move marks one of the most stringent enforcement actions in EPA history, banning the sale, distribution, and use of Dacthal products across the country.
The decision to ban Dacthal, which contains the active ingredient dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), was made due to health risks, particularly thyroid toxicity that can affect fetal development, including low birth weight and impaired brain development.
The cancellation reflects strong public health concerns and was based on the best available science linking DCPA exposure to serious developmental harm. As a result, no new sales or distribution are permitted, and users must stop using existing stocks immediately. This action effectively ends Dacthal’s availability and use across the country.
The EPA first issued a Data Call-in (DCI) to AMVAC, the manufacturer of Dacthal, in January 2013, requiring it to submit numerous studies to support the existing registrations of DCPA. The DCI required that all studies be submitted to the Agency within three years. However, AMVAC failed to submit the required data by January 2016, leading to the EPA's notice of intent to suspend the DCPA technical product on April 28, 2022.
Preliminary data submitted by AMVAC suggest that DCPA can affect thyroid function at lower doses than previously known, and may affect a fetus at lower doses than those that adversely affect adults. Without complete data on the thyroid toxicity of DCPA, EPA was unable to complete the human health risk assessment needed to evaluate whether DCPA products continue to meet the standard for registration under FIFRA.
The restriction applies to the use of the DCPA technical product to formulate end-use products. Stocks of DCPA end-use pesticide products already formulated prior to August 22, 2023, may continue to be distributed, sold, and used according to the label.
The ALJ's decision became final on August 16, 2023, and the suspension of the DCPA technical product went into effect on August 22, 2023. It is unlawful for AMVAC to distribute, sell, or use its technical-grade DCPA pesticide product until EPA lifts the suspension, which will occur after confirming AMVAC has submitted the required data as specified in the settlement agreement.
Information on suspensions of pesticide products is available on EPA's website, and supporting documents for the DCPA registration review docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0374 can be found at www.regulations.gov. Agricultural use sites for DCPA include cole crops, cucurbits, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. Non-agricultural use sites include non-residential turf and ornamentals.
It's important to note that although Dacthal is banned, individuals already exposed may pursue legal actions for related health damages since exposure risks remain for past use.
In summary, Dacthal (DCPA) is no longer sold, distributed, or allowed to be used in the U.S. due to its demonstrated health hazards, with the ban having been fully enforced since late 2024.
[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Final Order Cancelling Registration of Pesticide Products Containing Dimethyl Tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) (Dacthal). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/final-order-cancelling-registration-pesticide-products-containing-dimethyl-tetrachloroterephthalate
[4] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Fact Sheet: Cancellation of Dacthal (DCPA) Pesticide Products. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/fact-sheet-cancellation-dacthal-dcpa-pesticide-products
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