PFAS: Pesticide Active and Inert Ingredients

Pesticide Active and Inert Ingredients Categorized as PFAS

The MDA has identified a number of pesticide active and inert ingredients as PFAS based on the definition of PFAS in Minnesota Statute. 

Minnesota Statute (MINN. STAT. §18B.01 Subd. 15(c)) defines PFAS as:

"Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" means a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.

The MDA is applying the 15 U.S. Code § 8931(2)(B) definition of “fully fluorinated carbon” in its preliminary review:

The term “fully fluorinated carbon atom” means a carbon atom on which all the hydrogen substituents have been replaced by fluorine.

Additional information about Minnesota’s PFAS definition is available in the MDA’s PFAS in Pesticides: Final Report to the Legislature (see page 12 and Appendix B). The report also describes the MDA's approach to screening pesticide ingredients.

Pesticide Inert Ingredients

The MDA completed a preliminary screening of all pesticide inert ingredients approved for use by the EPA and present in the EPA's InertFinder database as of February 2024. Twelve ingredients were identified as meeting the Minnesota Statute definition of PFAS (see table). This list is subject to change upon further evaluation or consultation with experts.

Due to a lack of information on some inert ingredients in the database, a clear determination on whether the ingredient itself is a PFAS or contains PFAS could not always be made. For example, the chemical makeup of the ingredient listed only as “dog or cat collar” in the InertFinder database could not be discerned and evaluated. It is ultimately the responsibility of pesticide registrants to identify intentionally added PFAS ingredients in their products.

Preliminary list of pesticide inert ingredients that meet the Minnesota Statute (MINN. STAT. 18B.01 Subd. 15(c)) definition of PFAS. Inert ingredients approved by the EPA and included in the InertFinder database as of February 2024 were screened.

Pesticide Active Ingredients

The MDA completed a preliminary screening of all pesticide active ingredients registered in Minnesota in September of 2024. Over 90 active ingredients were identified as meeting the definition of PFAS (MINN. STAT. 18B.01 Subd. 15(c)).  

Preliminary list of pesticide active ingredients registered in Minnesota as of 9/12/2024 that meet the Minnesota Statute (MINN. STAT. 18B.01 Subd. 15(c)) definition of PFAS. (Table updated 3/6/2025)

*Flazasulfuron was first registered in Minnesota in February 2025.

Webpage last updated: 5/15/2025

Disclaimer: This list is subject to change upon further evaluation or consultation with experts.