A groundbreaking study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives has uncovered a disturbing trend in the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as forever chemicals, in U.S. pesticide products. The research, conducted by scientists from the Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Working Group , and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, reveals that these persistent chemicals are increasingly being added to pesticides, leading to widespread contamination of waterways and raising concerns about potential threats to human health.
The study, titled Forever Pesticides: A Growing Source of PFAS Contamination in the Environment, is the first comprehensive review of the various ways PFAS are introduced into U.S. pesticide products. These chemicals are used in pesticides applied to staple foods such as corn, wheat, kale, spinach, apples, and strawberries, as well as in residential products like flea treatments for pets and insect-killing sprays. The researchers compiled data on PFAS sources in pesticide products, ranging from intentionally added ingredients to contamination through leaching from fluorinated storage containers.
One of the most alarming findings of the study is that 14% of all U.S. pesticide active ingredients are PFAS, including nearly one-third of active ingredients approved in the past decade. This trend indicates a significant increase in the use of these persistent chemicals in pesticide formulations. Moreover, the study found that some of the most toxic PFAS chemicals, such as PFOA and PFOS, have been detected in certain pesticide products, likely due to leaching from fluorinated containers and other unknown sources.
The research also highlights the widespread presence of PFAS in U.S. waterways. PFAS ingredients from pesticide products have been detected in streams and rivers throughout the country, raising concerns about the long-term environmental impact and potential contamination of drinking water sources. The complexity of PFAS contamination is further compounded by the fact that pesticides can accumulate these chemicals from multiple sources, resulting in a single container potentially housing a mixture of different PFAS compounds.
The study's authors express serious concerns about the current U.S. pesticide regulatory framework, which they believe is ill-equipped to adequately identify and assess the risks associated with PFAS in pesticides. Nathan Donley, CBD environmental health science director, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, This is truly frightening news, because pesticides are some of the most widely dispersed pollutants in the world. Lacing pesticides with forever chemicals is likely burdening the next generation with more chronic diseases and impossible cleanup responsibilities.
The researchers identified several sources of PFAS in pesticide products, including both active and inert ingredients that meet the definition of a PFAS chemical. They found that active ingredients are the greatest contributors of PFAS in pesticides, with 66 PFAS active ingredients approved for use in the U.S. Additionally, eight approved inert ingredients are PFAS, including the nonstick chemical Teflon. The study also revealed that an estimated 20% to 30% of plastic containers used to house pesticides and fertilizers are fluorinated and can leach PFAS into their contents.
In light of these findings, the study's authors propose several recommendations for U.S. regulators to improve oversight of PFAS pesticides. These include discontinuing the practice of fluorinating plastic containers, requiring identification of all inert ingredients on pesticide labels, mandating enhanced immunotoxicity tests for PFAS active and inert ingredients, and expanding environmental monitoring and biomonitoring programs to include all PFAS pesticides. They also suggest that persistence in the environment alone should be a basis for pesticide regulation, regardless of toxicity, and that the EPA must assess the cumulative impacts of fluorinated byproducts common to multiple pesticide active ingredients.
As the use of PFAS in pesticides continues to grow, the study serves as a wake-up call for regulators, policymakers, and the public. The widespread contamination of waterways and the potential health risks associated with these persistent chemicals underscore the urgent need for more stringent regulations and comprehensive monitoring of PFAS in pesticide products. The findings of this research highlight the complex challenges facing environmental protection efforts and the importance of addressing the use of forever chemicals in agricultural and residential applications.
