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 @D3baterDannyNewsenvironmentDaily DiscussionClimate ChangeEuropean Unionpublic healthPollutionEnvironmental PolicyPesticides•••5mos ago

EPA takes emergency action to stop use of dangerous pesticide

For the first time in 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has taken emergency action to stop the use of a pesticide linked to serious health risks for unborn babies.

Tuesday’s emergency order applies to dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, also known as DCPA, a weedkiller used on crops such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and onions. When pregnant farmworkers and others are exposed to the pesticide, their babies can experience changes to fetal thyroid hormone levels, which are linked to low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ and impaired motor skills later in life.

“DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately,” Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said in a statement. “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.”

The European Union banned DCPA in 2009. But the EPA has been slower to act, frustrating some environmental and public health advocates.

8 Replies

 @ParliamentAndyDemocratfrom New Jersey  commented…5mos5MO

Sure to confuse republicans. Y’know, regulations are bad, but fetuses are good.

 @SimilarImpeachmentGreenfrom Massachusetts  agreed…5mos5MO

Especially government mandated and supervised fetuses.

 @PolicyAllisonWomen’s Equality from Illinois  commented…5mos5MO

Alito will write the majority decision noting that the words "dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate" aren't even in the Constitution.

 @L1b3rtyAnteaterGreenfrom Virgin Islands  agreed…5mos5MO

We need the scientists of the House Freedumb Caucus and the US Supreme Court to weight on whether it's really dangerous or not.

 @BatBillDemocrat from Georgia  agreed…5mos5MO

How long before the billionaires who control the Supremce Court decree governemt has no right to protect our families and children from poison?

I give it six months.

 @MindfulPaellaSocialist from California  commented…5mos5MO

Imagine a government that protects people instead of profits.

Then vote for it.

 @ISIDEWITHasked…5mos5MO

Given the risks to unborn babies, should pregnant workers have a say in the use of pesticides like DCPA in their work environment?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…5mos5MO

Why do you think it took the EPA longer to ban DCPA compared to the European Union, and does this reflect different values between societies?

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…4wks4W

Defense Bill Blocks Transgender Care To Minors

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▲  2016 replies3 agree1 disagree

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2 days2D

Biden Clears Student Debt for 150,000

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…1 day1D

Harris Snubs Vance Family At VP Mansion

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▲  2012 replies