EPA Approves PFAS-Containing Pesticide to Be Sprayed on Food
A new pesticide containing forever chemicals could soon be sprayed on food in the U.S. Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency approved 10 products that contain isocycloseram.
This is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), a term that refers to a wide range of nearly indestructible chemicals, some of which have been connected to environmental impacts and health concerns.
The EPA said that assessments of both human health and environmental impacts supported their decision to register these products.
“This new active ingredient will give farmers an additional tool to help manage crops and grow more food for our country,” the agency said in a release.
According to the Washington Post, however, some scientists and organizations have cautioned that there is still significant uncertainty surrounding the potential health impacts of these chemicals.
Research Ties Forever Chemicals to Numerous Health Conditions
PFAS have been used for decades in numerous applications, ranging from firefighting foam to nonstick cookware.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the potential health effects of PFAS, as these chemicals can linger in the environment for years and have been linked to various health concerns.
Two of the most commonly used types of PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), have been linked to higher risks of kidney and testicular cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain types of PFAS have also been connected to other health conditions, including increased cholesterol, worsened response to vaccines and changes in liver enzymes.
The amount of PFAS exposure a person experiences may play a role in their likelihood of developing any of these conditions. It is estimated that nearly all Americans now have at least some level of forever chemicals in their blood.
Thousands of PFAS Lawsuits Filed Over Potential Health Risks
Given the widespread nature of PFAS and the potential health concerns tied to these chemicals, many PFAS lawsuits have been filed both by individuals and by cities and water providers.
These lawsuits, which are generally filed against the companies that manufactured these chemicals, claim that PFAS has already contaminated water supplies across the country and could lead to serious health issues.
Some early payouts have already been significant.
In 2023, chemical giant 3M agreed to hand out more than $10 billion to various U.S. cities over claims that its chemicals had contaminated water supplies. DuPont, Chemours and Corteva agreed to a similar settlement worth nearly $1.2 billion.
