a little more

Fluoride Pesticides

The concern centers on the fluoride ion's toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation in humans, wildlife, and soil. The main pesticides are:

• Cryolite: (sodium aluminum fluoride) - mainly used on grapes, fruits, and potatoes. EPA allows fluoride tolerances of 7 ppm, except for kiwifruit, which has a residue tolerance of 15 ppm.

•Sulfuryl fluoride is the most immediate and important pesticide issue for the FAN Pesticide Project. This acutely toxic fumigant received its first-time approval for use on stored food commodities (raw and processed) in the US in January 2004. This approval allows the highest levels of fluoride residue levels in food in the history of the EPA. FAN, together with Beyond Pesticides, submitted formal objections to EPA on this approval (see press release). See the food tolerances approved and petitioned for as of July 15, 2005.

• Sodium fluoride - its only known use is in wood preservatives(railroad ties and utility poles). However, sodium fluoride was used as a "List 4 Inert" until USEPA revoked that use in September 2005. Prior to its revocation, sodium fluoride, as a "List 4 Inert," was approved for use in the US National Organic Program administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In 2000, approximately 125 individuals contacted USDA requesting that the use of sodium fluoride be denied in organic agriculture - all to no avail. UPDATE: On October 10, 2007, USEPA released a series of documents in preparation for a final risk assessment.

Fluorinated Pesticides

• The majority of the pesticides in our data base are fluorinated. We had used the term "organofluorine" to describe organic pesticides containing fluorine in their chemical formula. However, this term is not precise, as the majority of pesticides contain other halogens, primarily chlorine. Seven pesticides in our data base contain three halogens in their chemical formula: fluorine, bromine, and chlorine.

• The toxicity of the fluorinated compound is not due to the release of a free fluoride ion, but to the particular molecular structure of the compound. From our research to date it appears that fluorinated pesticides intensify pesticidal and biological activity. Animal studies available on pesticides with fluorine + bromine in their chemical formula consistently report severe brain effects.