DUH Files Lawsuit Against the Pesticide "Joystick" Following EFSA's More Stringent Risk Assessment of TFA
According to current research, the active ingredient diflufenican breaks down into TFA in the environment, which accumulates in groundwater
European Food Safety Authority Tightens Health Risk Assessment for Trifluoroacetic Acid DUH Files a Lawsuit Against the TFA-Forming Pesticide "Joystick" in the Braunschweig Administrative Court DUH Calls for an Immediate Suspension of Approval for All TFA-forming pesticides
In light of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) stricter health risk assessment of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) is filing a lawsuit before the Braunschweig Administrative Court against the approval of the pesticide Joystick, which DUH believes forms TFA. The herbicide, used in crop farming, contains the active ingredient diflufenican, which, according to current scientific findings, breaks down into TFA, among other compounds, in the environment. The DUH is also calling for the immediate revocation of all approvals for pesticides that form TFA.
Jürgen Resch, Federal Executive Director of the DUH: “The European Food Safety Authority’s new health risk assessment is a clear warning sign. TFA can endanger our health, accumulates permanently in the environment, and is virtually impossible to remove from drinking water. Nevertheless, the federal government is not taking action against pesticides that pose a health risk and that, when used, continuously release new quantities of the “forever chemical” TFA. This is irresponsible. The responsible authorities must not wait any longer until our groundwater and drinking water are even more heavily contaminated. They must immediately revoke the approvals for the pesticide Joystick and all other TFA-forming pesticides. Protecting our health and our water must take priority over the lobbying interests of the pesticide industry. The further spread of TFA must be stopped: With our lawsuit challenging the approval of the TFA-forming pesticide Joystick, we are increasing the pressure.”
Among the reasons for EFSA’s reevaluation are indications that TFA can alter levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. At the same time, EFSA sees a need for further research into possible long-term health consequences, including cancer risks and effects on the immune system.
Background:
The DUH is currently pursuing several legal proceedings before the Braunschweig Administrative Court with the aim of having the approvals for TFA-forming pesticides revoked. In addition, the DUH is challenging other approval decisions by the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, as well as inadequate action plans in six major German river basin districts.
The European Chemicals Agency, which is responsible for the risk assessment of chemicals, has classified TFA as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant for developmental effects, as well as highly persistent and highly mobile. Accordingly, TFA can harm a fetus in the womb and is suspected of impairing fertility.
TFA belongs to the group of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and is extremely persistent and mobile. The chemical has already been detected in nearly all of Germany’s groundwater. It cannot be removed—or can only be removed inadequately—using conventional drinking water treatment methods.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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