California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring the state to track the use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals. The bill mandates the Department of Pesticide Regulation to indicate the presence of these substances in its public database and monitor usage trends. Environmental advocates hope this data will lead to further regulation.
The new law in California, a major agricultural producer, aims to increase transparency around the use of PFAS pesticides, which have been linked to serious health concerns. This enhanced data collection could influence future regulatory actions and impact the agricultural sector's reliance on these chemicals.
California, the largest producer of agricultural products in the US, will now track pesticides containing toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation this week that requires the state's Department of Pesticide Regulation to indicate whether agricultural pesticides contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) when reporting their use in a public database. The department will also be required to track trends in PFAS pesticide use within the state, where a significant portion of the nation's fruits, nuts, and vegetables are grown.
Environmental advocates, such as the Environmental Working Group, supported the bill, hoping that improved data on PFAS usage and its impacts will pave the way for further regulation. Monica Amarelo, vice president of media relations at the EWG, stated that the law provides an opportunity to analyze what is being used, where it is applied, and how to eliminate it. Research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked PFAS exposure to adverse health outcomes, including cancer, high cholesterol, and immune system effects.
An earlier version of the bill, sponsored by Burbank Democrat Nick Schultz, aimed to prohibit state regulators from approving new pesticides containing PFAS chemicals. This version faced strong opposition from farm groups and was subsequently scaled back. Schultz described the current law as a "vital step toward ensuring California's agricultural legacy is defined by health and innovation," emphasizing that tracking and monitoring is a crucial first step.
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