EPA issues emergency ban of weedkiller Dacthal, citing risks to unborn children

The US Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency suspension of the common weedkiller DCPA, also known as Dacthal, it announced Tuesday. This marks the first time in 40 years that the agency has utilized its emergency suspension authority. Dacthal is commonly used in agricultural and non-agricultural settings to control weeds. The EPA cited significant risks to unborn babies of pregnant women exposed to the chemical. Exposure to Dacthal can lead to altered fetal thyroid hormone levels, which can result in low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills later in life.