U.S. EPA stops use of 12 PFAS in pesticide products

On December 14, 2022, to better protect human health and the environment from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing the removal of 12 chemicals from the current list of non-food inert ingredients approved for use in pesticide products.

Under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap, EPA committed to taking a renewed look at previous PFAS decisions, and, as part of this review, undertook a thorough review of its list of chemical substances that have been approved for use as inert ingredients in pesticide products. Pesticide products contain at least one active ingredient and other intentionally added inert ingredients. Inert ingredients play key roles in pesticide effectiveness and product performance, including extending the product’s shelf life or improving the ease of application by preventing caking or foaming. EPA reviews safety information for inert ingredients before they can be added to the list of inert ingredients approved for use in pesticide products.

In September 2022, EPA used its authority to take quick action to publish a notice that proposed the removal of 12 chemicals from the list of approved inert ingredients and received several comments, most of which supported the removal of these inert ingredients.

The following PFAS are not currently used in any pesticide products, and today’s action finalizes their removal from the list of approved inert ingredients:

• 2-Chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (CAS Reg. No. 2837-89-0); 
  

• α-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-ω-hydropoly(difluoromethylene) (CAS Reg. No. 65530-85-0); 
  

• Dichlorotetrafluoroethane (CAS Reg. No. 1320-37-2); 
  

• Ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro- (CAS Reg. No. 354-33-6); 
  

• Hexafluoropropene, polymer with tetrafluoroethylene (CAS Reg. No. 25067-11-2); 
  

• Montmorillonite-type clay treated with polytetrafluoroethylene (No CAS Reg. No.); 
  

• Poly(difluoromethylene), α-chloro-ω-(1-chloro-1-fluoroethyl) (CAS Reg. No. 131324-06-6); 
  

• Poly(difluoromethylene), α-chloro-ω-(2,2-dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)- (CAS Reg. No. 79070-11-4); 
  

• Poly(difluoromethylene), α-(2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethyl)-, ω-hydro- (CAS No. 163440-89-9); 
  

• Poly(difluoromethylene), α-fluoro-ω-[2-[(2-methyl-1-oxo-2- propenyl)oxy]ethyl]- (CAS Reg. No. 65530-66-7); 
  

• Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-hydro-ω-hydroxy-, ether with α-fluoro-ω-(2-hydroxyethyl)poly(difluoromethylene) (1:1) (CAS Reg. No. 65545-80-4); and 
  

• Propane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoro- (CAS Reg. No. 431-89-0).

Any proposed future use of these chemicals as inert ingredients would need to be supported by data, which may include studies to evaluate potential carcinogenicity, adverse reproductive effects, developmental toxicity, and genotoxicity, as well as data on environmental effects. Additionally, EPA continues to evaluate all pesticide active ingredients to determine if any meet the current structural definition of PFAS or are part of other related chemistries that have been identified by stakeholders as being of concern. EPA will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

To read the final notice, and for more information on inert ingredients approved for use in pesticide products, visit the Inert Ingredients Overview and Guidance webpage.

Additional information on EPA’s action around pesticides and PFAS is available online, including efforts regarding PFAS in pesticide containers.