Forever Chemicals Found in California Waterways

Analysis of state and federal records indicates that approximately half of the tested waterways in California are contaminated with "forever chemicals," commonly found in pesticides. These persistent substances, which can remain in the environment for thousands of years, have been linked to a range of severe health issues, including cancer, birth defects, and immune system deficiencies.

The review, which systematically examined streams and rivers that also serve as drinking water sources, found that over half of sediment samples also contained these chemicals. "Forever chemicals" are increasingly used in food crop pesticides, either as active or inert ingredients, with at least 60% of active ingredients fitting the definition of these compounds. From 2018 to 2023, California farms applied an estimated 2.5 million pounds of these chemicals annually, and recent testing found them on 37% of all produce.

Although a proposal to completely ban "forever chemical" pesticides by 2035 did not pass the state assembly, a moratorium on new pesticide approvals was enacted. New legislation will also require pesticides containing these chemicals to carry warnings about their health and environmental risks. Local leaders will gain more authority to restrict their use, and California's narrow definition of these chemicals, favored by industry, will be updated to align with scientific standards.

Public health advocates express concern, noting that regulatory assessments often do not consider the cumulative effects of exposure through both water and produce. The effectiveness of the new legislation is being weighed against the rapid approval of more such pesticides by the federal government, even as California's pesticide office recently reapproved an insecticide despite past legal challenges over its toxicity to pollinators.