(COLORADO) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency order on Wednesday, Aug. 7 to halt the use of the herbicide Dacthal.

Dachtal, also known as Dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), is a pesticide registered to control weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings.

The EPA is suspending all registrations for pesticides that contain DCPA effective immediately. No person or business may use, distribute, sell, offer for sale, hold for sale, ship, deliver, or receive any pesticide product containing DCPA.

In May 2023, two exposure assessments were conducted. Risks of concern were identified in multiple scenarios. A study found pregnant women who are exposed to DCPA may endanger their unborn child. The pesticide can cause thyroid hormone perturbations in children, and depending on the level of exposure, it can lead to health problems such as low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased Intelligent Quotient (IQ), impaired motor skills, and decreased bone deposition.

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after scheduled reregistration reviews, may cancel a product’s registration or a specific use pattern when they identify new risks associated with the use of those products,” said John Scott, Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Pesticides Program Section Chief. “The immediate cancellation of all distribution and all end uses reflects the seriousness of their findings in this Emergency Order.”