California Bill Aims to Ban PFAS Pesticides
California Assembly Bill 1603 (AB 1603) seeks to ban pesticides containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The legislation was introduced by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-44).
Specifically, AB 1603 would prohibit the California Department of Pesticide Regulation from registering a pesticide that has not previously been registered by the department and contains intentionally added PFAS as active, adjuvant, or inert ingredients. If passed as-is, the legislation would classify PFAS as restricted materials by July 1, 2028. The manufacture and sale of pesticides containing certain PFAS would be prohibited by January 2030 and all PFAS pesticides would be prohibited by January 2035.
AB 1603 is cosponsored by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which states that nearly 70 PFAS pesticides are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), of which more than 50 are registered for use in California. The group says PFAS pesticides account for 15 percent of pesticide residues detected on California-grown produce despite representing only 5 percent of state-registered active pesticide ingredients.
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