Where It Comes From
Sprayed on crops (e.g., soybeans, cotton, corn) and for lawn/park/rights‑of‑way weed control; sold in many products [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Breathing spray, vapor, or drift during/after application; skin contact when mixing or applying; residues on food; contaminated well or surface water near treated areas [1][2].
Why It Matters
Short‑term exposure can cause eye/skin irritation, cough, headache, and nausea; very high doses harmed liver and kidneys in animals. EPA classifies dicamba as “not likely” to cause cancer in humans; human cancer data are limited [1][2].
Who Is at Risk
Farmworkers and applicators; people living or working near treated fields; children; people with asthma or other lung disease; private well users near agricultural areas [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Follow label and buffer zones; avoid hot/windy spraying; wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection; keep children/pets away until sprays dry; wash produce; test wells if near treated fields; close windows and report drift incidents [1][2].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs: Dicamba (CAS 1918‑00‑9). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
- [2]U.S. EPA. Dicamba: Registration Review and Human Health Risk Assessment; Interim Registration Review Decision. https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/dicamba