PFAS Discovered in Common Pesticide Sprayed on Millions of Acres

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) released new test results that exposed high levels of PFAS compounds in a widely used pesticide. PEER found that Anvil 10+10, a pesticide aerially sprayed on millions of acres of land in Massachusetts, Florida, New York and at least 23 other states, contains 250 parts per trillion of PFOA and 260 to 500 ppt of HFPO-DA, two forms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a large group of synthetic compounds that do not break down on their own in the environment and contaminate the water of thousands of communities in the United States. These toxic forever chemicals are linked with a range of serious health problems including cancers, liver damage, and reduced immune functioning, and new studies have even found that elevated PFAS exposure might worsen the severity of Covid-19 infections or potentially impair the function of a vaccine. 

In response, Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued the following statement:

“These findings shock the conscience -- states likely have unknowingly contaminated communities’ water with PFAS hidden in pesticides. Once again, the EPA has failed to protect the American people from harmful pollution by absurdly designating PFAS as ‘inert’ and allowing corporations to withhold crucial information about it. We need to stop the introduction of toxic forever chemicals into the environment and our water sources to protect public health. 

“The EPA must ban all pesticides with PFAS components, designate PFAS as hazardous substances to hold polluters accountable for cleanup of contamination, and set strong enforceable standards for PFAS in our drinking water. The GOP-controlled Senate must step up and pass the PFAS Action Act, which passed the House in January, to regulated these toxic compounds and hold polluters accountable, and Congress must pass he WATER Act to provide the financial relief to community water providers and households with wells to remove PFAS from drinking water or find alternative sources where treatment fails. Now is the time for decisive action to protect people’s health and safety.”

Contact: Seth Gladstone - sgladstone[at]fwwatch[dot]org