Forever
chemicals (PFAS) are toxic compounds that research has
linked to various diseases, including cancer, immune
disorders, thyroid issues, kidney and liver conditions,
and more. So why did California
allow farms to spray an average of 2.5 million pounds of
PFAS each year on crops that we eat?
Over
the course of 6 years, from 2018 to 2023, the amount of
PFAS sprayed on crops amounted to around 15 million
pounds. This is because most pesticides contain
PFAS — even the pesticides that the U.S. government
has approved for use on food supplies. In fact, one
report showed that upwards of 60% of active ingredients
in most pesticides qualified as PFAS!
Even worse,
PFAS are attracted to water, meaning some fruits and
vegetables end up absorbing more of the toxic forever
chemicals. This includes water-intensive produce items
like grapes, tomatoes, and alfalfa, as well as various
nuts, including almonds and pistachios.
And then,
what happens after forever chemicals are applied to our
food items? They're harvested, taken to grocery stores,
and then... we eat them. We feed them to our families
and children.
Luckily, some parts of the
world are taking action. The European Union has begun
banning PFAS in certain pesticides, and is considering a
larger plan to phase out PFAS use entirely.
If
the European Union can do this, then so can California.
As the nation's largest agricultural producer, it has an
obligation to prioritize the nation's health! Sign the petition to demand
an immediate ban on toxic forever chemicals on farms in
California!
