EPA Approves New Forever Chemical Pesticides for Food Crops, Lawns, and More

PFAS - the toxic “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, hormone disruption, immune-system damage, and developmental problems - are already found in the bloodstream of most Americans. For years, scientists and health agencies have warned that exposure needs to go down, not up.

But in recent months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the current Trump administration has taken several actions that could increase the amount of PFAS Americans encounter in their water, food, and environment.

Here’s exactly what changed - and why it matters for your health.

1. PFAS Reporting Requirements Were Loosened

The EPA has proposed revising its PFAS-reporting rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The change would create broad exemptions, including for:

• Imported goods containing PFAS
• PFAS present in low concentrations
• PFAS by-products and impurities
• Certain research uses

Why this matters immediately

Looser reporting means less transparency. When companies aren’t required to disclose PFAS use, it becomes harder for scientists, regulators, and communities to identify contamination sources. If PFAS gets into a river, drinking-water supply, or soil, tracing it back becomes far more difficult.
This is the opposite of what public-health experts say is needed.

2. Some Drinking-Water Protections Have Been Rolled Back

In 2024, the EPA announced a historic drinking-water standard covering several PFAS chemicals.
But this year, the agency signaled it will:

• Keep limits for only two chemicals (PFOA and PFOS)
• Roll back limits for other PFAS that were originally included

Why this matters immediately

Water utilities will no longer be required to test for - or remove - several harmful PFAS compounds. That means:

• Millions of people could continue drinking unregulated PFAS
• Utilities may delay installing PFAS-removal systems
• Contamination could continue unnoticed

PFAS in drinking water is one of the largest exposure routes for U.S. households. Water protections getting weaker means exposure becomes harder to avoid.

3. PFAS-Containing Pesticides Have Been Approved - For Food Crops, Lawns, and More

In November 2025, the EPA approved two new PFAS pesticides - raising serious alarm among environmental and public-health advocates.

• On Nov. 5, 2025, the pesticide cyclobutrifluram was registered for use on turf, ornamentals, cotton, soybean seed, and produce such as romaine lettuce.
• On Nov. 18, 2025, the pesticide isocycloseram was approved for use on a wide variety of crops (cereal grains, many peas and beans varieties, tomatoes, oranges, almonds, and more), as well as on golf courses, decorative lawns, and institutional grounds.

Why this matters immediately

These approvals introduce a new and major pathway for PFAS exposure - through food and the environment. When used:

• PFAS from pesticides can contaminate soil and groundwater
• Crops can absorb PFAS, meaning you may ingest them from fruits, vegetables, grains, or nuts
• PFAS can spread via spray drift, dust, or runoff - affecting nearby homes, gardens, and waterways
• PFAS are persistent - some can remain in soil or water for years to decades, and in some cases break down into other persistent PFAS variants that carry their own risks

Given that PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, immune disruption, and more - approving PFAS-based pesticides feels like doubling down on a chemical risk many hoped to eliminate. 

4. PFAS in Tap Water: A Growing National Problem

According to recent EPA data, more than 160 million Americans may already have PFAS in their drinking water. Many utilities want to address this, but face:

• High costs of PFAS filtration
• Delays in federal funding
• Shifting EPA requirements

Why this matters immediately

If federal standards weaken, utilities have fewer legal obligations to act.
Communities already struggling with contamination may wait years longer for upgrades, filters, or cleanup - meaning long-term exposure becomes more likely.

5. Lawsuits Are Increasing - But They Take Time

Across the country, lawsuits have been filed against chemical manufacturers and utilities over PFAS contamination. For example, a major class-action case in Connecticut recently overcame a key legal hurdle.

Why this matters immediately

Litigation can reveal how PFAS enters water systems - but it can take years before settlements fund cleanup efforts. Public-health protection depends on policy, not lawsuits alone.

What All of This Means for Your Health

These policy shifts are happening while research continues to link PFAS to serious health issues:

• Kidney and testicular cancer
• Weakened immune response (including reduced vaccine effectiveness)
• Thyroid problems
• Cholesterol increases
• Liver damage
• Reproductive and developmental issues

When reporting rules weaken, water protections shrink, and PFAS pesticides are allowed onto food crops, the likelihood of exposure increases - exactly when experts say it should be decreasing.

How to Protect Yourself Right Now

While policy continues to shift, you can take steps to reduce personal exposure:

• Check your local water-quality reports for PFAS
• Use a certified home filter (reverse osmosis or carbon filters rated for PFAS)
• Avoid products known to contain PFAS (nonstick cookware, stain-resistant coatings, some cosmetics)
• When possible, choose organic produce or shop from brands that avoid PFAS-based pesticides - though note contamination can come from soil or water too 
• Support or advocate for stronger PFAS protections, testing, and disclosure

The Takeaway

PFAS contamination was already one of the most serious environmental-health issues in the United States. But the recent decisions by the EPA - loosening reporting, reducing water protections, and approving PFAS-containing pesticides - risk expanding exposure at a time when experts and communities hoped for reductions.

These changes will shape the safety of drinking water, food, and the environment for years to come. Staying informed, pushing for stronger protections, and taking practical precautions at home are now more important than ever.