Comment submitted by Anita Rossien
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter opposes the final tolerance rule for epyrifenacil, citing concerns over its potential carcinogenicity and its use on major food crops. They request an independent scientific review of liver tumor findings, a reassessment under international PFAS definitions, and a delay on further tolerance expansions until cumulative exposure is assessed.
I am submitting this comment in objection to the final tolerance rule for epyrifenacil (Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0354), published June 30, 2026.
EPA’s own review found that epyrifenacil causes liver tumors in animal studies, yet the agency classified it as “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans” based solely on the registering company’s interpretation of its own data. This pesticide is now approved for use on canola, field corn, soybeans, and wheat — among the most widely consumed crops in the country.
I request that EPA: (1) commission an independent review of the liver tumor findings by scientists with no industry affiliation; (2) reassess epyrifenacil under the broader structural PFAS definition used internationally; and (3) delay further tolerance expansions until cumulative dietary exposure across all recently approved fluorinated pesticides is formally assessed.
I urge EPA to hold this approval to the same evidentiary standard it would demand for any pesticide without an approved registration deadline pressure.