'Imminent health hazard': Kansas health officials warn of pesticide danger posed to babies

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Kansas officials are spreading awareness Thursday of a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) order on a dangerous pesticide.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is warning people to stop using all pesticide products which contain the active ingredient dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA). The EPA previously approved of pesticide products containing DCPA to help control weeds in agricultural and non-agricultural sites.

The EPA issued an emergency order to stop the use of DCPA on Aug. 6, citing it as "an imminent health hazard." The greatest danger associated with DCPA is associated with babies whose mothers were exposed to the pesticide ingredient during pregnancy.

“DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately,” Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff said on Aug. 6. “It’s EPA’s job to protect people from exposure to dangerous chemicals. In this case, pregnant women who may never even know they were exposed could give birth to babies that experience irreversible lifelong health problems. That’s why for the first time in almost 40 years, EPA is using its emergency suspension authority to stop the use of a pesticide.”

The KDA said Dachtal Flowable Herbicide is the only pesticide product containing DCPA that is approved for use in Kansas. While the product was mostly used in commercial operations, the KDA warns that some people may have purchased it as a general use product.

"If you are in possession of Dacthal Flowable Herbicide, you are advised to cease use of that product and contact the manufacturer for details on the return procedure. Retail or wholesale businesses must remove the products from their sales inventory and contact the manufacturer for details on the return procedure. Do not dispose of the product by any means until you are provided with instructions by the manufacturer."

Kansas Department of Agriculture press release statement excerpt

Unborn babies exposed to DCPA in the womb are at risk of permanent and irreversible health risks, according to the EPA. For more information on the emergency order and the dangers of DCPA from the EPA, click here.

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