A new analysis of California's pesticide data found traces of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)âchemicals that don't break down in the environment or your bodyâon 37% of nearly 1,000 samples of conventionally grown produce. These "forever chemicals" were detected on 40 different types of fruits and vegetables, with some produce containing multiple types of PFAS simultaneously. What Are PFAS Pesticides and Why Should You Care? PFAS chemicals are synthetic compounds used in pesticides and other industrial products. Unlike most chemicals, PFAS don't break down naturallyâthey persist in soil, water, and human bodies for years. The Environment Working Group (EWG) analysis, published in March 2026 and based on 2023 data from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, found that California farmers apply 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides annually on farmland. The health concerns are significant. Studies have linked certain PFAS chemicals to serious health problems, including specific cancers, high cholesterol, decreased vaccine effectiveness, and other conditions. About 98% of Americans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood, according to research cited in the analysis. Which Produce Had the Highest PFAS Contamination? The analysis revealed particularly high contamination on stone fruits and berries. Over 90% of nectarines, plums, and peaches tested positive for fludioxonil, a PFAS pesticide that the European Food Safety Authority considers an endocrine disruptorâmeaning it can interfere with hormone systems. Strawberries showed the most chemical diversity, with residues of 10 different PFAS chemicals detected on individual samples. The scope of California's agricultural influence makes this finding especially concerning. The state grows almost half of the nation's vegetables and over three-quarters of its fruits and nuts, meaning contamination in California directly affects food supplies across the country. How to Reduce Your PFAS Pesticide Exposure - Choose Organic When Possible: Organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides, including PFAS-containing products. Prioritize organic for produce that showed high contamination rates, such as strawberries, peaches, nectarines, and plums. - Wash Produce Thoroughly: While washing won't remove all pesticide residues, rinsing produce under running water can reduce surface contamination. For produce with skin you eat, like apples and berries, wash before consuming. - Vary Your Produce Choices: Eating a diverse range of fruits and vegetables from different sources and growing regions reduces your exposure to any single pesticide or chemical. - Support Local Farmers: Ask farmers at markets about their pesticide practices. Some conventional growers use fewer or no PFAS pesticides, even if not certified organic. The Emerging PFAS Pesticide Problem What makes this discovery particularly alarming is that PFAS pesticide use is increasing. A 2024 study found that PFAS chemicals now account for 14% of all pesticide active ingredientsâa dramatic rise in recent years. Independent testing released this week by the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility found multiple PFAS chemicals in Indaziflam (sold as Rejuvra), a weed killer being sprayed on millions of acres of federal lands. "The discovery of toxic chemicals in a product intended for landscape-level use should set off alarm bells," said Chandra Rosenthal, Public Lands Advocate at PEER. "Our public lands should not be exposed to chemicals whose impacts remain unknown". The regulatory landscape is also shifting in concerning ways. The Environmental Protection Agency is currently considering emergency exemption requests from Arkansas and Missouri to use tetflupyrolimet, a PFAS pesticide that hasn't been formally registered by the EPA. If approved, the chemical could be applied to up to 546,000 acres of rice in Arkansas and 100,000 acres in Missouri to control herbicide-resistant Barnyardgrass. What Do Experts Say About Emergency Pesticide Approvals? Critics argue that using emergency exemptions to bypass normal regulatory review sets a dangerous precedent. "This is not an emergency situation," said Sarah Alexander, executive director at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. "I think using emergency exemptions for PFAS pesticide approvals is a very dangerous precedent to set". She noted that herbicide resistance is a predictable, common problem in conventional agriculture with existing organic farming alternatives available. The findings also highlight a gap in how the EPA sets safety limits. The agency's pesticide tolerancesâthe maximum residue levels allowed on foodâdon't adequately account for vulnerable populations like farmworkers and children, or for exposure to multiple pesticides at once, according to the group Beyond Pesticides. As California produces the majority of America's fresh produce, the presence of PFAS on 37% of tested samples suggests that millions of Americans are consuming these persistent chemicals regularly. While the USDA's December 2025 pesticide report found that less than 1% of products contained residues higher than EPA legal limits, experts emphasize that legal limits may not be protective enough for long-term health.
