For decades, scientists have raised concerns about the widespread use of forever chemicals because of their toxicity. These forever chemicals get their name from their molecular bonds as they break down incredibly slowly, taking hundreds of years to complete. These chemicals are often used for clothing and cookware and are sometimes found in tap water. Because of these exposures, they are also found in some people’s bloodstream.
What’s more? Research has shown that common pesticides are spreading these toxic chemicals even faster. According to a review paper published in Environmental Pollution, around 70% of all pesticides in the global market contained these chemicals and other related compounds from 2015 to 2020. To make it worse, the potential impact of these chemicals on human health and the environment isn’t fully understood.
What Are Forever Chemicals?
Forever chemicals go by various names such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) or perfluoroalkyl. Mostly, they’re a subset of what are called fluorinated chemicals, which have a carbon-fluorine bond that makes these chemicals highly stable. Not only that but they’re used in products designed for repelling grease and water, as they don’t biodegrade quickly.
Although many governments are trying to limit the use of PFAs, their efforts are hindered by a lack of understanding of how these drugs work. Specifically, they haven’t figured out which fluorinated chemicals are actually PFAs. Due to their misunderstanding, people and the environment are more likely to be harmed. Furthermore, multiple countries have different classifications for these chemicals, resulting in harmful exposures in many communities. Ultimately, exposures can happen from spraying pesticides on crops containing fluorinated compounds.
The Negative Effects of Fluorinated Pesticides
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Moreover, pesticides containing fluorinated chemicals are known as fluorinated pesticides. While they can address many problems in agriculture, research still needs to be done to ensure that they’re used in a safe way to avoid harming people and the environment.
Since the 1940s, fluorinated chemicals and PFASs have largely been used in consumer products. Due to being found in human bodies and water, the Environmental Protection Agency would investigate the impact of PFASs during the 1990s. Surprisingly, research showed that the majority of U.S. citizens have low levels of these chemicals in their blood.
Even more, these forever chemicals may cause debilitating health issues such as kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, and reproductive disorders. Additionally, these chemicals are linked to an increased risk of a COVID-19 diagnosis.
The Most Common Fluorinated Pesticides
So far, bifenthrin is the most commonly used fluorinated pesticide because it’s the main ingredient in many crops such as corn, vegetables, soy, and a few others. These pesticides can also control many insects and pests by targeting their central nervous system.
How bifenthrin affects human beings is still widely unknown, but there may be a risk of neurotoxicity from chronic exposure. In fact, The EPA has classified these pesticides as a potential human carcinogen. Still, concerns surrounding the risk of bifenthrin aren’t a priority so long as people don’t overconsume it.
However, the pesticide has been found in many foods such as collard greens, spinach, sweet potatoes, and other foods that far exceed these safety levels. Unfortunately, removing these pesticides requires an extra scrubbing because of bifenthrin’s oil.
The Government’s Response to Growing Concerns
With these growing concerns, the U.S. government has weighed numerous bipartisan bills that would ban these chemicals from being used in cookware and food containers. Along with these bipartisan bills, the EPA is required to prevent PFAS pollution with comprehensive action. For instance, they could place limits on drinking water to decrease this pollution and keep people safe.
Currently, the EPA, under the Biden administration, has created a guideline called, PFAs Strategic Roadmap, that lays out plans to address the crisis. So far, eight states have outright banned PFASs in consumer products, mostly food packages, but for some reason haven’t addressed these chemicals in pesticides.
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