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Dacthal or DCPA herbicide is used worldwide to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in vegetable cultivation.
photo: supply
The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the use of a herbicide in New Zealand that was banned in the United States last week.
Dacthal or DCPA herbicide is used worldwide to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in vegetable cultivation.
They contain the chemical compounds dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate or dimethyl chlorothiazide.
But last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced an immediate suspension of all registrations for the herbicide, citing the risk of it causing irreversible damage to unborn children.
Michal Freedhof of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention said pregnant women exposed to DCPA may experience changes in fetal thyroid hormone levels – which have been linked to low birth weight, impaired brain development, lower IQ and impaired motor skills in adulthood.
“DCPA is extremely dangerous and needs to be removed from the market immediately,” Friedhof said.
“EPA’s job is to protect people from dangerous chemicals. In this case, pregnant women may never know they were exposed, but their babies could suffer irreversible, lifelong health problems.
“That’s why the EPA is using its emergency moratorium authority to halt the use of a pesticide for the first time in nearly 40 years.”
The move triggered a swift response from New Zealand regulators.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was watching US action over the potential impacts of the chemical, which is an approved and regulated hazardous substance in New Zealand.
“We take very seriously any significant new information about the potential impacts of chemicals currently used in New Zealand,” an EPA spokesperson said.
“Products containing dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate are primarily used in commercial settings, where there are clear regulations on how to use the substance safely.”
The EPA hazard assessment highlights that prolonged or repeated exposure to chlorothiazide may cause damage to organs and that it is toxic to aquatic life.
“We have now established a working group to review current uses of DMT in New Zealand and decide what actions we need to take.”
A spokesman said WorkSafe was also in touch with the Environmental Protection Authority to monitor developments overseas, adding that there were workplace requirements for training and personal protective equipment around the use of chemicals.
The New Zealand Vegetable Council said it did not collect data on agrochemical use by its member organisations and the New Zealand Onion Association had contacted it for comment.
A medium-sized agrochemical sales company based in Pukekohe said it did not sell the product and had not stocked it since 2013.
One large celery grower told ABC New Zealand he was unaware the chemical was used on the crop.
Horticulture New Zealand declined to comment.
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