“Many are unaware that certain pesticide active substances may be PFAS or that formulated pesticide products may contain PFAS-type adjuvants.”
At the origin of a joint report published this Thursday, November 9, the NGOs Générations Futures and Pesticide Action Network Europe make damning revelations on certain pesticides used within the European Union.
PFAS, also known as “forever pollutants” or “forever chemicals,” are very durable chemicals that can last for generations. The latter are used in particular for the production of everyday objects, such as for the manufacture of non-stick coatings for frying pans or burger packaging.
Their health impact is not negligible and they are associated with various diseases, including cancers.
“The pesticide industry is reaping its profits”
A problematic situation which has justified restrictive measures, taken by the European Union, concerning these PFAS. However, according to the NGO report, “certain pesticide active substances may be PFAS” or “contain PFAS type adjuvants”.
“While PFAS contamination is often attributed to “accidental” industrial emissions or pollution due to negligence, our report reveals an intentional and widespread source of PFAS pollution: PFAS pesticides.”inform the NGOs, supporting figures: “Currently 12% (37 molecules out of 306) of synthetic active ingredients authorized for pesticide use in the European Union are PFAS, all containing strong carbon-fluoride bonds, reinforcing their persistence in the environment or that of their degradation products (i.e. their metabolites). These 37 active substances are completely excluded from the scope of the restriction and deliberately sprayed on EU agricultural fields, thereby contaminating our food, water and the environment. Europe agrees and the pesticide industry reaps its profits”warn the NGOs.
“Intentional and direct” pollution
Still according to this report, “30 active PFAS pesticide substances are authorized, i.e. 13% of the synthetic substances authorized in France”. Their sales have tripled since 2008, and 2,332 tonnes of PFAS active substances were sold in France in 2021.
At the end of last year, the government published a “PFAS 2023-2027 action plan” aimed at reducing risks at source, continuing environmental monitoring, accelerating the production of scientific knowledge and facilitating the access to information for citizens.
But for NGOs, faced with this pollution “intentional and direct”which contaminates the soil, air and water, we must go further and ban, purely and simply, the use of these PFAS.
The report is available here.
