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China Top Source of Illegal Pesticides to CA
27 Jun
Summary
- China is the primary source of illegal pesticide smuggling into California.
- EPA intercepted over 500 illegal pesticide shipments since January 2025.
- Smuggled pesticides pose severe health risks, especially to children.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has identified China as the principal origin of illegal pesticide smuggling attempts into California's ports. Speaking near the Port of Long Beach, Zeldin highlighted China and Mexico as the top two countries of concern for such illicit activities.
In a joint operation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officials displayed seized bottles of the unregistered pesticide DDVP, also known as Sniper 1000EC. The EPA has blocked more than 500 noncompliant shipments since January 2025, totaling over 2.4 million pounds, a 50% increase compared to previous periods.
These dangerous unregistered products, often found on e-commerce sites, can cause severe health issues, including neurological and respiratory problems, and are especially harmful to children. The EPA has warned that their use in agriculture can also contaminate ecosystems and food supplies.
Sophisticated transnational criminal organizations, often working with Chinese money-laundering groups, are reportedly behind these smuggling efforts. The DDVP chemical, while having some restricted registered uses, was flagged for risks including carcinogenicity as early as 1988.
Officials recently seized thousands of individually packaged DDVP bottles intended for consumer use, both domestically and in agriculture. These products could potentially be sold online, but border interdiction efforts aim to prevent their distribution to unsuspecting consumers.
