The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been accused of misconduct in its reporting on the testing of pesticides for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sparking concerns over transparency and scientific integrity. A watchdog group, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), and former EPA research fellow Steven Lasee have raised allegations that the agency provided misleading information to the public.
In May 2023, the EPA announced it found no PFAS in certain insecticide products. However, this statement contradicts findings from a study led by Lasee in 2022, which detected PFAS in the same products. PFAS are chemical compounds known for their adverse effects on human health, including cancer and immune system damage, prompting global efforts to limit exposure.