The herbicide Dacthal (DCPA), containing chlorthal dimethyl, has sparked significant regulatory responses across the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand due to health concerns, particularly about its potential to cause irreversible harm to unborn children.
In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved to suspend all DCPA registrations, leading the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to respond with cautionary guidelines. Unfortunately this is not an outright ban, however they have imposed strict conditions on DCPA use since September.
These conditions include limiting application only to soil for certain crops, restricting pregnant individuals or those who could become pregnant from using or entering areas where DCPA is applied, and enforcing buffer zones to reduce public exposure to the spray.
Australia, however, has followed the U.S.’s lead more directly, deciding to pull all DCPA-containing products from shelves. This complete ban in Australia underscores the growing global concerns about DCPA’s safety profile and the trend toward tighter control or outright prohibition of certain herbicides due to emerging health data.
Personally I believe this weedkiller should be banned here asap.
Read the article from RNZ here.
Here’s a recipe for a weedkiller that uses white vinegar, a much safer option.
About The Author: Triona Backup
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