WASHINGTON – Every year, an average of 2.5 million pounds of pesticides containing the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS are sprayed on California crop fields, according to a new analysis and interactive map from the Environmental Working Group.
From 2018 through 2023, nearly 15 million pounds of PFAS pesticides were applied statewide, EWG found, based on a review of state Department of Pesticide Regulation data.
Over the six year period, Fresno County used the most, 2.1 million pounds, then Kern with 1.6 million pounds, and then San Joaquin County, at 923,000 pounds, and Imperial County, at 890,000 pounds. Monterey, Riverside and Sonoma counties also applied large amounts.
This widespread use of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides containing PFAS introduces a concerning amount of potentially harmful chemicals into our environment, especially on land where fruits, vegetables, and animal feed are grown.
EWG has long warned about the potential health harms associated with overexposure to pesticides like glyphosate. The added threat of forever chemicals in pesticides could create even more health and environmental concerns.
“California is a leading grower of produce sold in the state and throughout the U.S. These findings show how widely the potentially toxic PFAS pesticides are used on agricultural land,” said Jared Hayes, EWG senior policy analyst and co-author of the report.
Exposure to some pesticides is known to increase the risk of health problems such as cancer and reproductive and developmental harm.
PFAS alone are linked to those health harms, as well as other issues, including increased cholesterol and reduced vaccine effectiveness. Some well-studied PFAS are toxic, even at very low levels, and can cause serious health harms. They do not break down in the environment and can build up in the body.
EWG found heavy PFAS pesticide use on some of California’s most iconic and lucrative crops such as almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, alfalfa and tomatoes.
“Every pound of forever chemicals used on farmland presents a risk of contamination of our food, our water and soil. It doesn’t make sense when plenty of non-PFAS pesticides are readily available,” said Hayes.
Because of concerns about PFAS pesticides’ environmental and health harms, the European Union has already banned many, including two of the chemicals most used on California crops: bifenthrin and trifluralin.
Why PFAS are in pesticides
For the new report, EWG reviewed 66 PFAS registered as active pesticide ingredients permitted in the U.S. for use to kill fungi, insects or weeds. EWG found that 52 of those PFAS were used in 58 California counties from 2018 to 2023.
PFAS can also be found in pesticides as inert, or inactive, ingredients, which means they don’t address pests directly but can enhance how well a pesticide works. Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose individual inert PFAS in their products, so it’s hard to know the extent to which they play a role in the effects of pesticides that are sprayed.
“PFAS pesticides are a significant but overlooked health risk for millions of people,” said Scott Faber, EWG senior vice president for government affairs. “The potential health threat of PFAS pesticides has led other countries to ban them.”
Denmark prohibited six PFAS pesticide ingredients in July 2025 after detecting them in groundwater. European regulators have also declined to renew the approval of the agriculture chemical flufenacet because of thyroid harm and groundwater contamination risk.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has not banned any PFAS pesticides. Maine was the first state to ban intentionally added PFAS in pesticides, effective in 2030.
Despite being among the largest users of PFAS pesticides, California has not moved to regulate these chemicals used across the state's agricultural land.
Tips for reducing exposure
Consumers concerned about PFAS pesticide exposure should not reduce their fruit and vegetable intake, since the benefits of produce outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. But they can take simple steps to lower their health risk, such as:
- Washing produce thoroughly before eating it.
- Choosing organic produce when possible, as it can’t be grown using PFAS pesticides.
- Using EWG’s resources like the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ and the Guide to Washing Produce to reduce dietary exposure.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
