The United States Environmental Protection Agency has canceled the registration of pesticide products containing dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, also known as DCPA or Dacthal, because of public health concerns. And the American Samoa EPA is getting the word out to the public, farmers and businesses about the emergency order prohibiting the use of the pesticides.
DCPA, or Dacthal, is a pesticide used to control weeds both in agricultural and non-agricultural settings. According to USEPA, DCPA or Dacthal exposure can affect fetal thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women who can give birth to babies that experience irreversible lifelong health problems.
Other effects of Dacthal exposure include cancer, problems with the thymus gland, and liver damage.
Based on these findings, USEPA has determined that there are no practical mitigation measures that can be put in place to allow DCPA, or Dacthal’s, continued use.
Under this emergency order, all USEPA registered pesticide products containing DCPA or Dacthal have been cancelled. This means, any pesticides containing Dacthal are now prohibited for use or import into American Samoa.
Pesticide products containing DCPA or Dacthal:
1. Dacthal Flowable Herbicide
2. Dacthal W-75 Herbicide
3. Dacthal 75% WP Herbicide
4. DCPA Technical
AS-EPA encourages the general public, local farmers and businesses to consider the use of non-pesticide alternatives or safer farming best management practices to either minimize or prevent the use of pesticides.
AS-EPA Director, Lefega Fa’amao O. Asalele Jr., said while AS-EPA records indicate that these pesticide products containing DCPA, or Dacthal, has not been imported, used
or sold in American Samoa; however, if anyone has these pesticide products on island please contact the AS-EPA Office: 633-2304.
