Dacthal Pesticide Lawsuit Updates
Dacthal Litigation Persists Despite Industry Withdrawals; Legal Pathways Remain Open
While Dacthal (DCPA) litigation activity has recently slowed—prompting some firms to deprioritize claims—our legal team continues to investigate and file lawsuits for individuals harmed by the herbicide. This lull reflects typical toxic tort litigation patterns, where delayed symptom onset (e.g., thyroid disorders, cancers) often results in prolonged filing windows. Affected individuals retain full rights to pursue compensation, as statutes of limitations commence upon injury discovery, not initial exposure. Despite reduced industry focus, our firm maintains rigorous advocacy for plaintiffs alleging Dacthal-linked injuries. Eligibility hinges on documented exposure and subsequent diagnosis. Consultations remain available to evaluate claims.
EPA's Historic Dacthal Ban Bolsters Litigation, Citing "Immediate Danger" to Fetal Health
The EPA’s 2024 emergency suspension of the herbicide Dacthal (DCPA)—the first such ban in nearly 40 years—has become pivotal in ongoing litigation. The agency cited "serious health risks for unborn babies" and declared DCPA "so dangerous that it needs to be removed from the market immediately," per its Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety. This landmark action underscores the gravity of exposure risks, directly supporting plaintiffs’ claims that manufacturers failed to warn of developmental harm, cancer, and thyroid disorders. The EPA’s findings validate core allegations in lawsuits nationwide, strengthening failure-to-warn arguments and liability exposure for producers. Affected individuals retain the right to seek compensation despite the ban.
Law Firms Expand Toxic Chemical Litigation to Include Paraquat and Dacthal Exposure Claims
Legal teams are now accepting cases involving Paraquat herbicide alongside ongoing Dacthal (DCPA) litigation. Both chemicals are linked to severe health risks—including Parkinson’s disease (Paraquat) and thyroid disorders/cancers (Dacthal)—through direct or environmental exposure. Individuals diagnosed with qualifying conditions after contact with either chemical may pursue compensation. Affected parties are urged to act promptly, as statutes of limitations vary by state and discovery date. Free consultations are available to evaluate eligibility and legal options.
Multi-State Dacthal (DCPA) Health Warnings Issued as Exposure Victims Preserve Legal Rights
States from Virginia to Hawaii have issued official warnings about health risks linked to Dacthal (DCPA), an agricultural herbicide. Despite potential delays in symptom onset—common with toxic exposure—affected individuals retain legal rights to seek compensation. Statutes of limitations typically begin upon discovery of harm, not initial exposure. Those recently diagnosed with conditions tied to DCPA (e.g., thyroid disorders, certain cancers) may qualify for claims against manufacturers. Legal pathways remain accessible regardless of when exposure occurred, provided claims are filed promptly after injury discovery. Affected parties are urged to consult counsel to evaluate eligibility.
About The Dacthal Lawsuits
People around the country are filing lawsuits against chemical corporation AMVAC for its popular pesticide, Dacthal (chemical name dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, or DCPA). The weed killer became available in the 1950s, but recent studies uncovered that Dacthal may cause severe harm to unborn babies and thyroid problems in adults, at much lower doses than formerly believed.
Worse still, evidence suggests that AMVAC, which has a record of violating EPA laws, may have known of the dangers and failed to warn farmers.
If you were harmed by Dacthal or DCPA or used the herbicide while pregnant and your child was born with certain birth defects, you could qualify for compensation. This article explains Dacthal’s risks, qualifying conditions, and how to seek the justice you or your child deserve.
What Is Dacthal, And Why It May Be Dangerous?
Dacthal, also known as dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate or DCPA, is a pre-emergent pesticide formerly used to protect crops and ornamental plants from weeds. Because of its agricultural uses, farm workers were commonly exposed to the potentially harmful substance.
In the past ten years, Dacthal has been used in Arizona, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, though it was even more widely used in previous decades.
The chemical was commonly used on vegetables and fruits like:
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Onions
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bok Choy
- Strawberries
The weed killer was also frequently applied to home lawns and gardens, parks, playgrounds, and golf courses, where homeowners and patrons may have been exposed.
DCPA is sprayed on the soil before weeds emerge to prevent them from overgrowing desirable plants. It works by preventing weed sprouts from properly forming roots and emerging from the ground.
Despite the herbicide’s uses, it could pose a risk to the environment and human health. Dacthal may enter the groundwater after irrigation or rainfall, where it can cause contamination. Most alarmingly, it is classified as a possible human carcinogen and is linked to a host of health problems in adults and unborn children.
DCPA’s dangers to adults include:
- Thyroid nodules and cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland, also called goiter
- Autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease
- Thyroid hormone imbalances
- Skin and eye irritation
- Respiratory problems
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Liver and kidney damage
- Neurological issues
Unborn babies are at risk of:
- Fetal thyroid hormone imbalances
- Physical and neurological developmental problems and delays, including diminished IQ, low birth weight, and hindered brain development
- Decreased bone deposition (the process by which new bone is generated)
Who Qualifies For The Dacthal Lawsuits?
To qualify to join the DCPA lawsuit, you must meet several requirements. You may be eligible if:
- While pregnant, you worked on a farm where broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onion bulbs, Brussels sprouts, or bok choy were grown, AND
- You used Dacthal or DCPA for weed control. You may have applied the herbicide or weeded, tied, transplanted, thinned, or harvested crops treated with it, AND
- Your baby from that pregnancy was born with low birth weight, poor brain development, low IQ, diminished motor skills, and/or decreased bone deposition.
You may also qualify for the lawsuit if:
- You are currently pregnant and were exposed to Dacthal or DCPA, OR
- Within the past 10 years, you were exposed to DCPA while pregnant and gave birth to a child with any of the aforementioned developmental or physical defects.
You may also qualify for the lawsuit if your child was diagnosed with any of the following condition(s) after being exposed to Dacthal while in utero:
- Birth defects
- Neurological problems
- Developmental delays
- Hypothyroidism
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroid cancer
- Autoimmune thyroid disease
- Thyroid hormone imbalance
- Fetal thyroid hormone imbalance
- Respiratory problems
- Skin and eye irritation
- Liver and kidney damage
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Decreased bone deposition
Additionally, if you yourself were diagnosed with any of the above after being exposed to Dacthal, you could qualify to join the lawsuit. The best way to determine your eligibility is by speaking with a qualified attorney. We recommend completing the sign-up form at the top of the page to request a free case evaluation from an attorney in our network.
What Do The Lawsuits Allege?
The Dacthal/DCPA lawsuits make several serious allegations against chemical manufacturer AMVAC, including that the company:
- Failed to warn users of the risks of DCPA exposure.
- Submitted untimely and incomplete safety data to the EPA, which delayed risk assessment and regulatory action.
- Put profits above safety by continuing to market the weed killer without warning about its dangers.
The EPA Takes Action
Because of the evidence of Dacthal’s dangers to users and their unborn children, the EPA persistently requested safety studies from AMVAC over the course of two decades. However, AMVAC neglected to provide the requested research, prompting the EPA to take further action against the corporate giant.
In a decision they called “rare but necessary,” the EPA chose to suspend DCPA’s registration in August 2023—an action not taken by the agency since 1983. In April 2024, the EPA warned farmworkers and the general public about Dacthal’s risks, particularly to unborn babies of pregnant women.
In October 2024, the EPA officially canceled all products containing DCPA. This cancellation prohibits the sale, distribution, or use of DCPA products and requires existing stock to be returned or properly disposed of.
Hold Dacthal Accountable
If you or your child were harmed by DCPA, you may be interested in the lawsuit. Taking legal action can seem daunting, but you don’t have to face the task alone. An attorney can evaluate your case, determine statutory deadlines, help you gather the necessary evidence, and guide you through the litigation process.
The health problems associated with DCPA exposure often create significant financial strain, resulting in large medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning potential. The good news is that most attorneys who work on these cases do not require payment upfront. Instead, they work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay a portion of your settlement or compensation if your case is successful.
You’re entitled to answers for the harm caused by Dacthal chemicals; lawyers in the OCA network are available to help. Complete the form at the top of the page to be connected with an attorney.
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