Dangerous herbicide used on California crops banned
A dangerous herbicide banned immediately by the US Environmental Protection Agency has been sprayed on crops in many California counties and has contaminated groundwater in low concentrations in the Salinas Valley and Santa Barbara County. The weed-killing chemical, known as DCPA or Dacthal, can harm the developing brains of babies in the womb, and can remain in farm fields for weeks, EPA officials said. The greatest threat is to pregnant farmworkers and those who live near fields. The chemical, which has been in use in the United States for almost 70 years, was so dangerous that “it needs to be removed from the market immediately,” EPA announced Tuesday. The agency issued a rare emergency order suspending all use immediately — a first for the EPA in almost 40 years.
Related articles:
