The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a pesticide manufacturer, has determined that fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers that are used to store and transport the manufacturer’s mosquito-control pesticide product contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds that are leaching into the pesticide product.
The Boston Globe reports the pesticide is known as Anvil 10+10, which is manufactured by Illinois-based Clarke. According to the Globe, the pesticide first began being tested by the Department of Environmental Protection last fall after a Washington advocacy group reported the product contained PFAS.
While the EPA said it is early in its investigation and assessment of potential impacts on health and the environment, “the affected pesticide manufacturer has voluntarily stopped shipment of any products in fluorinated HDPE containers and is conducting its own testing to confirm EPA results and product stability in un-fluorinated containers.”
In addition, EPA says it has issued a request for information under the Toxics Substance Control Act (TSCA) to the company that fluorinates the containers used by certain pesticide manufacturers. The TSCA subpoena requests information about the fluorination process used to treat the containers.
As EPA evaluates this issue, it asks that pesticide and other companies using fluorinated containers, and entities that provide container fluorination services, engage in good product stewardship and examine their distribution chains to identify potential sources of contamination. EPA says it will also continue to work closely with the entities involved and their supply and distribution chains, mosquito control districts, the pesticide and packaging industry, federal partners, states and tribes that may be affected to provide information and guidance on next steps.
EPA says it understands the need to provide guidance to states, tribes and other users as they prepare to purchase mosquito control products for 2021 and will provide more information as it continues its investigation.