Environment
California to flag PFAS pesticides in public-use database
A new law requires state pesticide records to identify products containing “forever chemicals” and report statewide use trends by 2028.
California will begin identifying agricultural pesticides that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in its public pesticide-use database under Assembly Bill 1603, Reuters reported September 29. Gov. Gavin Newsom approved the measure on September 27, according to the official legislative record.
What it means locally
The law, authored by Burbank Assemblymember Nick Schultz, requires the Department of Pesticide Regulation to add PFAS as a category of interest, report use trends and publish a list of registered pesticides containing PFAS ingredients by January 1, 2028, or earlier when the database posts 2026 use data. The final measure emphasizes disclosure and monitoring; an earlier version that would have restricted new PFAS pesticides was narrowed after opposition from agricultural groups. The accompanying USDA photograph shows pesticide spraying in California and is archival, not an image of a PFAS product or the bill signing.
Full report and further details: Read original report →