The Environmental Protection Agency has approved two new pesticides that contain PFAS, the highly persistent chemicals that linger in soil and water long after they are used. The approvals widen their use across crops, golf courses, lawns, and commercial sites. They also arrive as the agency signals its intent to authorize several more PFAS-based pesticides in the coming year, according to SAN.

PFAS exposure has been linked for decades to cancers, immune suppression, developmental delays in children, and reproductive harms. These chemicals resist breakdown at every stage of their life cycle. That is why scientists call them “forever chemicals.” Their presence in pesticides introduces a route of exposure that researchers say regulators have not meaningfully addressed.

Nathan Donley of the Center for Biological Diversity told WRAL that his “reaction is shock and awe,” adding that “whatever we put into our environment today will be lurking around forever.” His alarm reflects a wider scientific concern that these new approvals will compound decades of contamination the nation has yet to fully understand.

The EPA approved two new pesticides that qualify as PFAS.

A New Generation of PFAS Pesticides

The two newly approved compounds—cyclobutrifluram and isocycloseram—both meet internationally recognized definitions of PFAS. The SAN report cited the EPA’s acknowledgment that it intends to authorize at least four more PFAS pesticides after these two.

Isocycloseram is expected to appear on major food crops including oranges, almonds, peas, tomatoes, and oats. The chemical is moderately to highly persistent and is documented to break down into 40 additional PFAS compounds, according to regulatory filings cited by the Center for Biological Diversity. Some of those transformation products are even more environmentally stubborn.

Despite its persistence, the EPA stated—via a press release quoted by ABC6—that its “final biological evaluation predicts that the use of isocycloseram will not result in a likelihood of future jeopardy for the survival of any listed species.”

The agency also concluded that no human-health risks of concern would arise “when used as directed.” Critics argue that this confidence ignores PFAS mobility and long-term accumulation. “These new forever pesticides don’t fit that mold,” Donley told WRAL, adding that traditional pesticide review frameworks fail to account for what happens when PFAS move through soil and groundwater.

PFAS are known for their extreme persistence in soil and water.

Pollinators Face Steep Risks

Pollinators sit at the center of ecological worries. EPA documents show bees could encounter more than 1,500 times the lethal dose of isocycloseram when collecting nectar or pollen near treated crops, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. With one-third of the food supply dependent on pollination, losses at this scale could ripple into agriculture and food pricing.

The EPA acknowledges that spray applications may harm pollinators and aquatic organisms, as noted by ABC6, but the agency opted for mitigation measures rather than restrictions. Birds and mammals feeding on treated crops may also face chronic effects.

Scientists outside the agency warn that environmental persistence should be the focal point. Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, told SAN that ultrashort-chain PFAS “may not be biologically persistent” but “are environmentally persistent,” posing cumulative risks as concentrations rise over time.

PFAS exposure has been linked to cancers and immune disruption.

PFAS Already Spread Through U.S. Water Systems

Communities across the country are already navigating the consequences of PFAS contamination. Louisville, Kentucky, detected a sudden spike in GenX—a PFAS used in manufacturing—in raw water drawn from the Ohio River. The discovery triggered a lengthy investigation that traced the chemical up the river to a Chemours facility with a long record of PFAS pollution, as reported by NPR.

Although Louisville’s finished drinking water remained within federal limits, water-quality director Peter Goodmann warned that rising contaminants make compliance harder and highlight the need for stronger source-water protections. “What we do is manage risk, and we start that at the river,” he told NPR.

The EPA recently delayed full enforcement of PFAS drinking water rules until 2031, creating a longer runway for utilities but also prolonging exposure risks. The agency also announced it would retain limits only for PFOA and PFOS, while dropping restrictions on other PFAS types such as GenX.

One approved pesticide breaks down into 40 additional PFAS compounds.

A Regulatory Shift Toward Industry Priorities

At the same time, federal PFAS policy has moved toward industry-friendly positions. The EPA reversed earlier efforts to tighten PFAS discharge rules and signaled plans to relax reporting requirements for PFAS-containing products, according to SAN. The Center for Biological Diversity’s reporting notes that the agency’s pesticide office is currently run by former lobbyists for the American Chemistry Council and the American Soybean Association.

EPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch dismissed concerns as politically motivated, telling SAN that critics were “pedaling mistruths” and emphasizing that fluorinated pesticides have been approved under administrations of both parties.

But environmental groups argue that persistence, not politics, defines the threat. As water-policy expert Nick Hart told NPR, “Stop using the word ‘safe.’ This is the maximum allowable limit.”

The approvals extend PFAS deeper into American soil and water at a moment when utilities, scientists, and communities are struggling to contain the chemicals already present. With additional PFAS-based pesticides awaiting authorization, the stakes of this decision will play out for decades.

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