|
A startling new report by Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals that almost 40% of California-grown, non-organic produce was contaminated with PFAS, known as "forever chemicals".
Over 90% of nectarines, plums and peaches were contaminated with a single PFAS pesticide, the fungicide fludioxonil. And more than 80% of cherries, strawberries and grapes were contaminated with PFAS, more than half of them with four or more different pesticides. Strawberries had ten different PFAS pesticides.
In 2023, the Department of Pesticide Regulation tested 930 non-organic California-grown fruits and vegetables for its annual residue report, and showed no sign of concern when it released its findings in July. In the news release, DPR Director Karen Morrison blithely asserted that "Our residue testing program demonstrates the safety of our fruits and vegetables in California." Yet EWG's recent analysis of DPR's residue report found PFAS pesticides on 348 of the 930 samples DPR tested.
As EWG's report notes, the pervasive presence of PFAS pesticides on produce sold in the marketplace poses a grave human and environmental threat. PFAS are known to persist in the environment and are linked to immune, reproductive and developmental harm. They are already drawing increased scrutiny for contaminating water supplies.
"The widespread presence of PFAS pesticides on California-grown produce underscores a concerning and largely unaddressed gap in pesticide oversight," notes the report.
| 
