Ä¢¹½tv

Public awareness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has grown dramatically over the last decade, driving new laws, regulations, and discussions about their presence in various products. Between 2016 and 2023, 40 U.S. states introduced PFAS-related legislation, reflecting mounting concern over chemical safety and environmental protection. Yet as regulatory attention intensifies, inconsistencies in how PFAS are defined at the federal and state levels have created confusion and compliance challenges — including for fluorinated pesticide ingredients (FPIs), which play a vital role in agriculture and public health.

In a recent  publication in the Journal of Toxicology and Regulatory Policy, Ä¢¹½tv's Sara Hearon, Ph.D., M.P.H., and Keith Morris-Schaffer, Ph.D., DABT, ERT, along with co-authors from CropLife America, offer an evidence-based analysis of how differing PFAS definitions can impact the regulation and use of FPIs. It highlights how some broad "PFAS ban" proposals risk conflating distinct chemical subgroups, leading to unintended consequences for pest control and crop protection. Their review examines the current landscape of PFAS classification and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, underscoring the need for PFAS definitions rooted in science and consistent methodology.

A critical part of the article responds to recent commentary on applying an expansive definition of PFAS to FPIs that extends beyond the parameters used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The authors emphasize that while precaution is essential, so too is context: pesticide products, including FPIs, are already subject to rigorous safety evaluations under EPA regulatory processes designed to confirm they do not pose unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.

By providing a comprehensive overview of FPIs' safety frameworks, technical considerations, and practical applications — from protecting crops to ensuring public health — the authors aim to guide policymakers, regulators, and the public towards science-informed decision-making.

From the publication: "With increased potential impact of crop disease and pesticide resistance on food supply, it is important to have options and strategies available, including pesticides like FPIs, that are approved for numerous pest uses."