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EPA moves to ensure PFAS agents stay out of ag chemicals

The EPA wants to make sure twelve compounds containing PFAS cannot be used in future pesticide products.

Assistant EPA Administrator Michal Freedhoff says a dozen chemicals are no longer being used, but it’s important to remove them from a list of approved inert ingredients so no new products can use them.

Freedhoff says ensuring these twelve chemicals can no longer be used in pesticides is an important step to protect workers, the public, and our planet from unnecessary PFAS exposure.

The inert chemicals are used to enhance pesticide effectiveness and performance, improve shelf life, and make them easier to apply.

Here are the chemicals targeted for non-use:

• 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).