EPA Approves New 'Forever Chemical' Pesticides For Use On Food (washingtonpost.com)
(Tuesday November 25, 2025 @05:00AM (BeauHD)
from the farm-to-table-to-bloodstream dept.)
- Reference: 0180198831
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/11/25/0252230/epa-approves-new-forever-chemical-pesticides-for-use-on-food
- Source link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/11/22/forever-chemicals-pesticides/
The EPA has approved new pesticides that [1]qualify as PFAS "forever chemicals " (paywalled; [2]alternative source ), sparking criticism from scientists and environmental groups who warn these decisions could increase Americans' exposure through food and water at a time when many states are moving to restrict such substances. The Washington Post reports:
> This month, the agency approved two new pesticides that meet the internationally recognized definition for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or fluorinated substances, and has [3]announced plans for four additional approvals. The authorized pesticides, cyclobutrifluram and isocycloseram, which was approved Thursday, will be used on vegetables such as romaine lettuce, broccoli and potatoes. The agency also announced plans to relax a rule requiring companies to report all products containing PFAS and has proposed weakening drinking water standards for the chemicals.
"Many fluorinated compounds registered or proposed for U.S. pesticidal use in recent years offer unique benefits for farmers, users, and the public," EPA spokeswoman Brigit Hirsch said in a statement.
"It is important to differentiate between the highly toxic PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS for which the EPA has set drinking water standards, versus less toxic PFAS in pesticides that help maintain food security," notes Doug Van Hoewyk, a toxicologist at Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. He added that concerns about food residue depend on the PFAS and the quantity.
Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, also commented: "The data we have about the use of PFAS pesticides is already seven years old, and since there have been many new approvals during that time, those numbers are sure to underestimate the amount were using today."
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/11/22/forever-chemicals-pesticides/
[2] https://archive.ph/20251124172518/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/11/22/forever-chemicals-pesticides/
[3] https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-changes-make-pfas-reporting-requirements-more-practical-and-0
> This month, the agency approved two new pesticides that meet the internationally recognized definition for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or fluorinated substances, and has [3]announced plans for four additional approvals. The authorized pesticides, cyclobutrifluram and isocycloseram, which was approved Thursday, will be used on vegetables such as romaine lettuce, broccoli and potatoes. The agency also announced plans to relax a rule requiring companies to report all products containing PFAS and has proposed weakening drinking water standards for the chemicals.
"Many fluorinated compounds registered or proposed for U.S. pesticidal use in recent years offer unique benefits for farmers, users, and the public," EPA spokeswoman Brigit Hirsch said in a statement.
"It is important to differentiate between the highly toxic PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS for which the EPA has set drinking water standards, versus less toxic PFAS in pesticides that help maintain food security," notes Doug Van Hoewyk, a toxicologist at Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. He added that concerns about food residue depend on the PFAS and the quantity.
Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, also commented: "The data we have about the use of PFAS pesticides is already seven years old, and since there have been many new approvals during that time, those numbers are sure to underestimate the amount were using today."
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/11/22/forever-chemicals-pesticides/
[2] https://archive.ph/20251124172518/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/11/22/forever-chemicals-pesticides/
[3] https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-changes-make-pfas-reporting-requirements-more-practical-and-0
Transgressions (Score:2)
by hadleyburg ( 823868 )
Rather than being a carefully considered weighing up of risk against benefit, I sense a revelling in the feeling of transgression - A sort of "drill baby drill" attitude.
Good luck with exports (Score:3)
by Spacejock ( 727523 )
This is not going to open up any markets for your produce in countries with much stricter food safety regulations. But those countries will probably be happy to ship even more of their safer food to you.
Poisoning people for profit? (Score:4, Funny)
Hell yes! It is the American Way!