EPA suspends common weed killer DPCA amid health concerns and local impact

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Environmental Protection Agency has just announced the emergency suspension of the common weed killer DPCA also known as Dacthal.

It is within 1⁄4-miles of a school this one.

Safe AG Schools says that Monterey County is where DCPA is heavily used.

This table from 2021 shows that half of the DPCA use in the state is applied in Monterey County.

No other county is under greater threat from chlorthal-dimethyl than monterey county.

"Unfortunately, dacthal is just one, I mean, there are 100 more than 130 pesticides that are banned in the European Union," Mark Weller campaign director for Californians for Pesticide Reform said.

At least 29 farms had planned to apply Chlorthal-Dimethyl within 1⁄4-mile of 65 schools during the 2023-2024 school calendar.

It is the close proximity of these fields to schools that have raised many concerns.

"More than 60 schools in Monterey County we're going to have dacthal applied near them," Weller said. "We also informed all of those growers that this is what the USDA says about dacthal and please don't use dacthal near these schools. But not one grower, replied and the air commissioner refused to do anything."

A letter from Safe AG School mentioned that Chlorthal-Dimethyl is far too dangerous to use near human beings.

The US EPA’s recent risk characterization says that the chemical has already been banned or not approved for use in 32 countries that cite significant risk to human health.

"Between the gestational age of three weeks and 16 weeks of development in your pregnancy, and often you don't even know you're pregnant at that point, that when the fetus is at the highest risk, to exposure to say something like pesticides," a nurse said. "That's the biggest issue and that exposure can result in bacterial syndrome."

The EPA's decision comes after years of evidence showing that this chemical can alter fetal thyroid hormones and cause long term developmental issues.

“Asked our AG commissioner, one hidalgo in Monterey County to restrict the use of Dacthal and create implement one mile buffer zones around schools where DPCA is applied, and also to make the reentry period 30 days, not 12 hours," Weller said. "Unfortunately he refused, so we had to wait another whole year, of people being exposed to this stuff. Until the announcement yesterday."

"Growers are disappointed that another decision has impacted the ability to maintain crop production with the expanding pressures of diseases, exotic pests, and weeds," Farm Bureau said. "Growers have demonstrated safe use of the DPCA product for many decades under California’s restrictive regulatory structure, and prioritize the health and safety of all field employees when any chemical applications are necessary to protect crop yields."

Chamacos studies have found large proportions of our Salinas Valley children have been exposed to this harmful pesticide.

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