California farms applied millions of pounds of PFAS to key crops, study finds

"California farms applied an average of 2.5m lbs of PFAS forever chemicals per year on cropland from 2018 to 2023, or a total of about 15m lbs, a new review of state records shows. The chemicals are added to pesticides that are sprayed on crops such as almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, alfalfa and tomatoes, the review of California Department of Pesticide Regulation data found."

"The risk for uptake of PFAS is likely higher in water-rich fruits and vegetables, because water attracts the chemicals, and research has shown PFAS may concentrate at dangerous levels in some produce. The chemicals also pollute water supplies and present a higher risk to the often low income and Latino farmworkers. The review's findings reveal an obvious problem, said Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice-president of California for EWG."

California cropland received an average of 2.5 million pounds of PFAS per year from 2018 to 2023, totaling about 15 million pounds. PFAS were added to pesticides used on almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, alfalfa and tomatoes. Water-rich fruits and vegetables have higher uptake risk because water attracts PFAS, and PFAS can concentrate at dangerous levels in some produce. PFAS contaminate water supplies and pose elevated risks to low-income and Latino farmworkers. PFAS comprise at least 16,000 compounds that persist in the environment and are linked to cancer, kidney and liver disease, immune disorders and birth defects. At least 60% of active pesticide ingredients approved in the last decade meet common PFAS definitions.

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