EPA Clarifies Safety of Single-Fluorinated Pesticide Approvals

The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that new single-fluorinated pesticides are not PFAS and remain fully compliant with current safety standards.

chemical pesticides_ag revolution 22148933_G.jpeg

Ed - stock.adobe.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Producers are seeing renewed public claims about “forever chemical” pesticides, prompting confusion over whether recently approved crop-protection compounds pose risks to human health or the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a detailed fact check this week stating that the claims are incorrect and that the approved pesticides meet all safety requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

EPA experts emphasized that single-fluorinated carbon compounds are not classified as PFAS. The agency formally defined PFAS in 2023 as substances containing two or more fluorinated carbons, a distinction supported by toxicology and environmental persistence data. The new products lack the long-term bioaccumulation properties associated with PFAS.

Regulators also reported no human health risks of concern when pesticides are used according to label instructions. Assessments included toxicity studies, reproductive and developmental screens, and environmental-fate evaluations across multiple species.

EPA noted that these compounds are safer alternatives to older organochlorine chemistries and are already approved by international regulators in the EU, Canada, Australia, and other countries. Both Republican and Democratic administrations have registered dozens of similar single-fluorinated pesticides.

Looking ahead, EPA says continued precision chemistry will remain essential for protecting yields, preventing pest losses, and maintaining affordable food supplies.

Farm-Level Takeaway: EPA confirms new single-fluorinated pesticides are not PFAS and remain fully compliant with modern safety standards.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
Related Stories
A new maritime biofuels coalition aims to position ocean shipping as a significant growth market for U.S. crops and waste-derived fuels.
Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us to share more about the North Dakota court decsion and the its larger impact on agriculture.
A new study found that retaining the EPA’s half-RIN credit protects soybean demand, farm income, and crushing-sector strength while preserving biofuel market flexibility.
Western Caucus member Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) details the SPEED Act on Champions of Rural America. The legislation aims to reform NEPA, streamline permitting, and expand domestic energy development.
The specific provision in the CO₂ storage law allowed the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) to authorize carbon storage projects to proceed even if they lacked unanimous consent from all affected landowners.
A permanent national E15 standard would boost corn demand, lower fuel costs, and provide a stable path for U.S. energy security.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins signed six MAHA waivers for SNAP in Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined Rural Health Matters to outline a few key reminders for parents about keeping kids healthy during the holiday season.
Farm Journal Foundation Senior Policy Adviser Dr. Stephanie Mercier outlines new research on the top sixteen biosecurity threats in agriculture/

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Expect incremental near-term lift for feed grains, proteins, and ethanol as tariff cuts and smoother approvals translate into real orders.
If confirmed, early Chinese buys tighten nearby Gulf/PNW capacity and could bump basis in export-oriented regions.
Trade pacts with Malaysia and Cambodia unlock tariff-free and preferential lanes for key U.S. farm goods, expanding long-term demand in Southeast Asia.
The review signals renewed scrutiny of China’s agricultural trade pledges and could reshape farm export opportunities depending on its outcome.
The U.S.-Japan tech pact signals long-term investment in bio-innovation, connectivity, and secure supply chains — all of which can strengthen rural manufacturing, ag exports, and digital infrastructure critical to the next generation of farm productivity.
Export volumes remain positive year-to-date, but weaker soybean loadings and slowing wheat movement hint at early bottlenecks in global demand or river logistics. Farmers should watch basis levels and freight conditions as export competition heats up.
Agriculture Shows
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.
The goal of “Where the Food Comes From” is as simple as its name implies — host Chip Carter takes you along on the journey of where our food comes from — and we don’t just mean to the supermarket (though that’s part of the big picture!). But beyond where it comes from, how it gets there, and all the links in the chain that make that happen.
Join markets specialist Scott Shellady, better known as the Cow Guy, as he covers the market-close, breaking down headlines that drive the commodities and equities markets with commentary from respected industry heavyweights.