California Bill Aims to End Spraying of Crops With Toxic “Forever Chemicals”
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The Bottom Line
California lawmakers are proposing a bill to ban “forever chemicals” in pesticides to protect produce.
How This Affects You
This bill could reduce your exposure to toxic “forever chemicals” in food, which are linked to environmental and health concerns.
AI Summary
California Assemblymember Nick Schultz introduced AB 1603 to ban the use, sale, and manufacture of PFAS pesticides in California. This bill aims to phase out these "forever chemicals" from crops starting in 2035. An analysis by the Environmental Working Group found that over 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides were sprayed on California crops between 2018 and 2023. The group also detected at least one PFAS pesticide on nearly 40 percent of conventional produce grown in the state. AB 1603 would also accelerate the ban for 23 California-approved PFAS pesticides prohibited in the European Union, starting in 2030.
What's Being Done
California Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank) introduced AB 1603 to ban PFAS pesticides.
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