Workers' Compensation: EPA Moves to Ban Dacthal: Worker Safety Concerns

The US EPA's proposed rule to ban Dacthal (DCPA) is rooted in concerns about the significant health risks it poses, particularly to workers who handle the pesticide or work in treated fields. Dacthal has been shown to disrupt thyroid hormone levels in fetuses, potentially leading to long-term developmental issues such as low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and motor skill deficits.

Key Points from the EPA's Findings:

1. Thyroid Hormone Disruption:

- Dacthal can cause changes in fetal thyroid hormone levels, which are critical for brain development and overall health.

- Pregnant women exposed to Dacthal may not show thyroid effects themselves, but their fetuses are at high risk of developmental issues.

2. Risks to Workers:

Workers applying Dacthal or entering fields where it has been used are particularly vulnerable. These include agricultural workers and landscapers, golf course groundskeepers, and bystanders who are exposed to the spray's residuals.

- Exposure levels can exceed safe limits even with personal protective equipment (PPE).

- Residues of Dacthal remain on treated foliage for extended periods, posing ongoing risks even long after application.

3. Health Impacts:

- Potential health impacts include irreversible effects such as impaired brain development and motor skills in children exposed in utero.

- These health problems might not be immediately obvious at birth, complicating the linkage to prior pesticide exposure.

4. Regulatory Actions:

- The EPA has issued an emergency order to suspend the use of Dacthal, citing the imminent hazard it presents.

- This suspension marks the EPA's first use of such emergency authority in nearly 40 years.

Analysis of Potential Harm to Workers:

The proposed rule highlights the severe risks Dacthal poses to agricultural workers, including:

- Direct Exposure During Application: Workers handling Dacthal face high exposure levels, which can lead to significant health risks, even when using PPE.

- Post-Application Exposure: Residual Dacthal in fields continues to pose risks to workers entering these areas long after the initial application. The pesticide's persistence in the environment means that exposure can occur for weeks if not months.

- Vulnerable Populations: Pregnant workers are at an increased risk, as fetal exposure can result in lifelong health problems for their children.

The EPA's emergency order underscores the urgent need to mitigate these risks by halting the sale and use of Dacthal. By removing this pesticide from the market, the EPA aims to protect workers and their families from its potentially severe and long-lasting health impacts.

Conclusion:

The EPA's proposed rule to ban Dacthal is a critical step in safeguarding public health, particularly for agricultural workers who are at the forefront of exposure. The evidence of harm, especially to fetal development, necessitates immediate action to prevent further risks. This decision also sets a precedent for the stringent regulation of other potentially hazardous chemicals to ensure worker safety and public health.

Emergency Order Suspending the Registrations of All Pesticide Products Containing Dimethyl Tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA)Emergency Order Suspending the Registrations of All Pesticide Products Containing Dimethyl Tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA)

Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon L., EPA Moves to Ban Dacthal: Worker Safety Concerns, www.gelmans.com (08/07/2024) https://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/2024/08/epa-moves-to-ban-dacthal-worker-safety.html

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*Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters). For over five decades, the Law Offices of Jon Gelman 1.973.696.7900
jon@gelmans.com has represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational illnesses and diseases.