SINCE returning to power, President Donald Trump’s administration has approved five new pesticides many scientists and environmental advocates label as PFAS “forever chemicals”, a class of highly toxic substances being phased out globally.
However, the EPA’s alternative definition of PFAS excludes these pesticides, claiming they pose no threat to human health. The last three approvals were made without official press statements, surfacing only when nonprofits publicized them.
Critics warn these chemicals may pose hidden risks; many break down into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), now widespread in drinking water and linked to serious health issues, including fetal and reproductive harm.
PFAS are characterized by their carbon-fluorine bonds, which give them durability and water-repelling properties, leading to their use in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, and raincoats.
Evidence links PFAS to cancers, immune disorders, and reproductive issues, prompting lawsuits, new laws, and corporate phase-outs. The OECD adopted a broad definition in 2021, but the EPA under Biden narrowed it in 2023, excluding chemicals with only one fully-fluorinated carbon atom.
During Trump’s term, five more pesticides fall under this narrower definition. Critics argue this approach ignores potential health risks, especially since many pesticides break down into TFA, now prevalent in water.
Former industry lobbyists in senior EPA roles reportedly influenced agency language, further complicating regulation efforts. Experts advocate for the precautionary principle, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight to protect public health.
AFP
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