Tell EPA To Get PFAS Out of Pesticides

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Tell EPA To Get PFAS Out of Pesticides

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan

See the Petition Below...

Background on the Issue

A study by researchers from multiple organizations has revealed the widespread use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," in U.S. pesticides. PFAS are highly toxic, persistent, and linked to severe health issues. Advocacy groups urge the EPA to ban PFAS in pesticides and limit their use to essential purposes. They call for comprehensive standards to protect public and worker health from PFAS contamination.

Please sign the letter below urging EPA Administrator Michael Regan to act now to protect people and nature from PFAS in pesticides.

Sponsored by

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)

Silver Spring, MD

To: EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan
From: [Your Name]

We are writing to ask you to immediately ban the distribution of all pesticides that contain PFAS. PFAS are extremely dangerous and should not be in pesticides.

A study by researchers from the Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Working Group and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has documented the widespread use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in pesticides, despite assurances PEER received from EPA officials that the pesticides your agency approves do not contain PFAS chemicals.

The peer-reviewed study, Forever Pesticides: A Growing Source of PFAS Contamination in the Environment, is the first-ever comprehensive review of the many ways PFAS are introduced into U.S. pesticide products. Pesticides containing PFAS are used throughout the country on staple foods such as corn, wheat, kale, spinach, apples and strawberries. They are widely used in people’s homes in flea treatments for pets and insect-killing sprays.

As you know, PFAS are a group of 10,000 or more highly persistent and human-made toxic chemicals. They have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, reproductive problems, and immune system dysfunction. They are highly mobile and persistent in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

In adopting this ban, EPA must define PFAS as a compound with at least “one fully fluorinated carbon,” which has been adopted by European authorities, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Develop and U.S. entities, including the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and many states, including Colorado, Washington, Maine, Maryland, New York, and California.

We urge you to take swift action to get PFAS out of pesticides.