"‘Forever chemicals’ sprayed on almonds, grapes, tomatoes and other crops as activists warn of ‘obvious problem’"

"California farms applied an average of 2.5m lb of Pfas “forever chemicals” per year on cropland from 2018 to 2023, or a total of about 15m lb, a new review of state records shows.

The chemicals are added to pesticides that are sprayed on crops such as almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, alfalfa and tomatoes, the review of California department of pesticide regulation data found. The Environmental Working Group non-profit put together the report.

The risk for uptake of Pfas is likely higher in water-rich fruits and vegetables, because water attracts the chemicals, and research has shown Pfas may concentrate at dangerous levels in some produce. The chemicals also pollute water supplies and present a higher risk to the often low-income and Latino farm workers."

Tom Perkins reports for the Guardian November 18, 2025. [2]