US agency refuses to examine toxicity of ‘inactive’ pesticide chemicals to crops

EPA says too many pesticide formulas exist to check all for the safety of ingredients that could harm humans, plants and wildlife

Ingredients labeled as “inactive” in pesticide formulas are potentially poisoning the environment, crops and animals, but the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rebuffed calls to examine their toxicity and risks.

Agency rules do not require the EPA to account for inactive ingredients when it evaluates pesticide formula safety despite the fact that industry labels dangerous substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as inert.