Dacthal Pesticide Lawsuit

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.

About The Dacthal Lawsuits

What Is Dacthal, And Why It May Be Dangerous?

Who Qualifies For The Dacthal Lawsuits?

What Do The Lawsuits Allege?

The EPA Takes Action

Hold Dacthal Accountable

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)