Toxic PFAS Residue Identified on 37% of California Produce, New Analysis Finds

A groundbreaking analysis has revealed that PFAS pesticide residues are present on 37% of conventional California produce, with specific fruits such as peaches, strawberries, and grapes frequently exhibiting contamination from these toxic "forever chemicals."

This analysis aligns with new California legislation aimed at completely banning PFAS as active ingredients in pesticides by 2035, alongside interim measures that include warning labels and additional restrictions.

Conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization, the analysis utilized records from California's Department of Pesticide Regulation. It highlighted that approximately 90% of peaches, plums, and nectarines tested positive for PFAS residues, while 80% of strawberries and grapes showed similar contamination. This information raises critical health concerns, particularly for children who are likely to consume these fruits regularly, as articulated by Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice-president of EWG’s California operations.

"Most consumers don’t expect to find PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ on their strawberries – I think this information is shocking to most people," Del Chiaro stated.

PFAS comprises a diverse group of at least 16,000 compounds commonly utilized in the production of everyday items that offer resistance to water, stains, and heat. They are referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down naturally in the environment, leading to accumulation and associations with severe health issues including cancer, kidney disease, liver dysfunction, immune disorders, and birth defects.

The advocacy for addressing PFAS in pesticides commenced in 2023. During this time, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Biden attempted to undermine a study that had identified the presence of these chemicals in pesticides, while the previous administration under President Trump increased the number of PFAS proposed for agricultural use.

According to a 2023 analysis of EPA data, at least 60% of the active ingredients that have received federal approval for pesticide use in recent years fit the widely accepted definition of PFAS. These chemicals are incorporated as active ingredients in crop pesticides intended to control weeds and pests.

The EWG's analysis of 930 samples from 78 types of non-organic produce grown in California indicated that 348 samples, or 37%, exhibited PFAS residues, with approximately 40 distinct types of produce testing positive, suggesting that over half of the produce varieties had been treated with PFAS pesticides.

The implications of this contamination extend beyond food safety, as PFAS also persist in the environment and infiltrate drinking water supplies. Notably, the city of Fresno, situated in an agricultural hub, recently filed a lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers due to groundwater pollution that surpassed federal limits by 600%, affecting more than 120,000 households.

Furthermore, previous analysis by EWG estimated that around 2.5 million pounds of PFAS are applied to cropland in California each year.

"Here’s a chemical that we in society at large are trying to get out of our environment and drinking water, yet on the flip side, there is a regulatory agency permitting its use on crops," Del Chiaro emphasized.

The health ramifications of PFAS pesticides are still being understood, as they represent a relatively new concern for researchers, with limited data beyond that generated by the industry.

"We know that PFAS can be dangerous, we know that pesticides can be hazardous, but we don’t really have sufficient knowledge about this new understudied exposure route," said Varun Subramaniam, a report co-author and EWG analyst. He pointed out that produce could contain multiple types of PFAS pesticides, noting that ten products are approved for use on strawberries, but the regulatory framework only accounts for the risk of one pesticide.

California's proposed legislation aims to prohibit the use of PFAS as active ingredients in pesticides by 2035, imposing a moratorium on new approvals and mandating labeling to inform farmers who may be unaware of PFAS presence in their products.

It is anticipated that the pesticide industry will mount significant opposition to this legislation. However, similar bans have already been implemented in Maine and Minnesota, which could enhance California's chances of similar action. Concerns persist regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s potential vulnerability to industry influence, particularly following his recent veto of a bill that sought to ban PFAS in cookware after pressure from the cookware industry and celebrity chefs.

Assemblymember Nick Schultz, the bill’s author, expressed his apprehension for children's health, emphasizing the need to ensure they are not consuming strawberries tainted with long-lasting chemicals.

"We are providing a clear, responsible roadmap for our farmers to transition away from these persistent chemicals while re-establishing California as a global leader in food safety," Schultz concluded.