EPA Posts FAQs Regarding Pesticides Containing a Single Fluorinated Carbon

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted a web page entitled “Pesticides Containing a Single Fluorinated Carbon.” The web page includes a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding pesticidal substances containing a single fluorinated carbon and how EPA evaluates them. EPA intends the FAQs to inform the public better about EPA’s gold-standard science pesticide registration process. EPA notes that the web page “does not, and is not intended to, interpret or amend any regulatory or statutory provision, nor does it consider, decide, or prejudge any pending petitions for rulemaking under the pesticide program.” EPA states that it will not use the information on the page for any regulatory purpose.

As revised November 26, 2025, the FAQs include:

• How does EPA evaluate pesticides containing a single fluorinated carbon?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA must ensure that any pesticide registered by the Agency does not pose unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment through comprehensive evaluation. EPA notes that this standard applies to every pesticide. EPA states that “[p]esticides containing a single fluorinated carbon undergo the same rigorous, science-based assessment.”

•  Are there any benefits of pesticides containing a single fluorinated carbon?

According to EPA, many fluorinated compounds — especially shorter chain molecules, such as those containing only a single fluorinated carbon — can be a less toxic alternative compared to some legacy pesticides. EPA notes that some uses of these pesticides have also qualified for reduced risk status. EPA “individually evaluates every proposed pesticidal compound to ensure its use does not pose unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment and meets the standard for registration.”

•  Have other countries registered pesticides containing a single fluorinated carbon?

According to EPA, pesticides containing a single fluorinated carbon registered or proposed for registration by EPA in recent years have also been registered or are being considered for registration by other countries. This includes the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, and South Korea, among others. 

• Background on PFAS Definitions

EPA states that there is currently no single, commonly accepted definition of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As reported in our October 3, 2023, memorandum, in 2023, EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting rule defined PFAS as a chemical containing at least one of the following structures:

• Background on PFAS Definitions

EPA states that there is currently no single, commonly accepted definition of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As reported in our October 3, 2023, memorandum, in 2023, EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting rule defined PFAS as a chemical containing at least one of the following structures: 

▸ R-(CF₂)-CF(R’)R’’, where both the CF₂ and CF moieties are saturated carbons;

▸ R-CF₂OCF₂-R’, where R and R’ can either be F, O, or saturated carbons; and

▸ CF₃C(CF₃)R’R’’, where R’ and R’’ can either be F or saturated carbons.

EPA states that in the 2023 rule’s response to comments, OPPT explained that molecules containing a single, fully, or partially fluorinated carbon are less likely to persist in the environment or pose greater bioaccumulation or toxicity risks than molecules with two or more fluorinated carbons.

This item was revised on December 15, 2025, to reflect the November 26, 2025, updates to EPA’s web page.