The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency order banning the herbicide DCPA due to its irreversible health risks to humans, particularly farmworkers and their children.
Joseph Winters reports for Grist.
In short:
- The EPA's ban on DCPA, used in crops like broccoli and onions, marks the first emergency suspension of a pesticide in nearly 40 years, due to its severe developmental harm risks to human fetuses.
- Farmworker advocacy groups support the decision, highlighting that farmworkers face higher exposure levels, with barriers like economic precarity and language hindering their fight against hazardous conditions.
- The EPA acted swiftly due to the grave dangers posed by DCPA, as reports showed its "spray drift" effect posed a severe health risk even long after application.
Key quote:
“The EPA’s order will protect farmworker women and girls who bear the heavy and dangerous burden of pesticide exposure every day.”
— Mily Treviño-Sauceda, executive director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas
Why this matters:
The EPA's decision aims to protect vulnerable farmworkers from health hazards, highlighting systemic inequities and prioritizing environmental justice. The action reflects increasing recognition of the need for stricter pesticide regulations to ensure the safety of agricultural communities.
