EU citizens exposed to PFAS “forever chemicals” through crops, new PAN research finds

04 Mar 2024 --- A new study by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe and its members reveals that EU residents are increasingly exposed to dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pesticides through food items, including fruit and vegetables. Residues of 31 different PFAS have been detected in EU fruits and vegetables between 2011 and 2021.

The number of fruits and vegetables found to contain residues of PFAS in the EU has tripled during the same time period. European-grown fruit, including 37% of strawberries, 35% peaches and 31% apricots, were shown to be contaminated.

“The actual health risks of eating a daily basis of fruit and vegetables containing this subgroup of PFAS pesticides used deliberately in food production are still unclear,” a PAN spokesperson tells Nutrition Insight. “PFAS pesticides should not be found in our food in the first place, nor should they be sprayed on field crops, contaminating the environment.”

“These PFAS pesticides or their metabolites are persistent and, at the same time, they have been designed to have biological toxic action against organisms considered pests, being toxic as well to other non-target organisms and species, including mammals.”

“For the PFAS pesticides we looked at, some are suspected carcinogens, others are linked to developmental issues in children, and many show adverse effects even at low concentrations, impacting the liver, immune system and endocrine system,” the spokesperson details. 

The PAN study finds that fruits and vegetables imported in the EU are contaminated to similar levels than those grown in the bloc.EU vs. imported produce
According to the new PAN study, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal and Greece are the key PFAS-contaminated food producers within the EU, while Costa Rica, India and South Africa are the main exporters of high-in-PFAS food to the EU. 

“Overall, our study found that fruits and vegetables imported in the EU are contaminated to similar levels as those grown in the EU,” the spokesperson explains. “On average, 18% of imported fruit were contaminated with residues of PFAS pesticides in 2021, i.e., slightly less than European-grown fruit.”

PAN states that 14% of imported vegetables were shown to be contaminated with residues of PFAS pesticides in 2021 versus 12% of EU-grown vegetables, pointing out that the situation may vary significantly from one product to another.

“For instance, some imported products like imported table grapes were more frequently contaminated (37%) than European-grown ones (22%). On the contrary, EU-grown strawberries were way more contaminated (37%) than imported ones (12%).”

“When we look at specific products and country of origin, the fruit most frequently contaminated with PFAS were 89% of bananas from Panama, 75% of table grapes from South Africa, followed by 72% of strawberries from the Netherlands and 70% of strawberries from Austria,” the spokesperson adds. “This presents a very complex picture for consumers.” 

Health risks
PAN tells us that the increasing exposure of citizens to mixtures of PFAS pesticides “in cocktails” is not taken into account by regulators when setting maximum residue limits in food products. 

“The regulators set safe levels of exposure assuming we are exposed to one PFAS pesticide at the time. These limits therefore fall short to ensure consumers’ safety, particularly for persistent chemicals like PFAS. According to our report, three or four different PFAS pesticides may be detected in a single fruit, like strawberries.”

“It is unknown if these result in PFAS accumulation in the body. What is certain is that most of these PFAS pesticides are converted to Trifluoroacetic acid, a persistent and very mobile metabolite that accumulates in water resources and has been found even in drinking water.”

According to the organization, this means that vulnerable groups of higher risk, such as pregnant women, babies and young children, should avoid eating large quantities of such fruit.

“Vulnerable groups are the most at risk when exposed to pesticides, including PFAS pesticides. These substances have the potential to alter the normal development of unborn children and kids, resulting in lifelong effects on the neurological, hormonal, immunological, cardiovascular and other systems and possible chronic diseases.” 

Research conducted in Norway suggests there is a link between exposure to PFAS and delayed puberty, while a different study coming from Scotland reveals that PFAS can damage fetal development, posing long-term health risks. 

“Unfortunately, this subgroup of PFAS has received less attention by the regulators underestimating their properties and toxic potential,” the spokesperson continues. 

Vulnerable groups are the most at risk when exposed to pesticides, including PFAS pesticides.Regulatory discussion
The spokesperson points out that in early 2023, a proposal to ban all PFAS as a group in Europe, except for “essential use” (which is yet to be defined), was submitted by the competent authorities of five member states: Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

“The ban proposal is based on the unacceptable risk to human health and the environment posed by their persistent properties. The authors of the proposal (the member state authorities) also take into account all the potential toxic properties of PFAS, as well as the very high background level of exposure already today.”

“Those opposing the ban of PFAS in general claim there are no alternatives in most cases. This argument is irrelevant in the case of pesticides. PFAS pesticides represent 16% of EU-approved synthetic active substances, leaving conventional farmers with 84% of other approved substances.”

The spokesperson asserts that this means that PFAS pesticides are “absolutely not necessary to grow crops and may be easily replaced.”

“Furthermore, synthetic pesticides should only be used as a last resort once cultural, mechanical and biological methods of prevention and control of ‘pest organisms’ have failed.”

It is explained that the “integrated pest management” approach has been proven to be an efficient way to protect crops while being a “safe and sustainable way of food production that reduces food residues in food.”

Because PFAS pesticides are not authorized in organic farming, normally, consumers should not be exposed to residues of PFAS pesticides when eating organic products, the spokesperson explains. “This, however, is particularly unfair as not all consumers can afford organic products. PFAS pesticides have no place on our food.”

“There is no label informing consumers about the presence (or not) of pesticide residues in the product they buy, nor of PFAS pesticides.”

By Milana Nikolova