CAP Calls for Regulatory Control of PFAS Pesticides in Malaysia
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) submitted a memorandum on 6 October 2026 to the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, and members of the Pesticides Board, urgently calling for regulatory control of PFAS pesticides in Malaysia.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely referred to as “Forever Chemicals”, are highly persistent chemicals, characterised by strong carbon-fluorine bonds. Their resilience in the environment and the human body has been linked to significant toxic effects. Studies have linked exposure to PFAS, including those found in certain pesticides, to increased risk of cancer, compromised fertility and immunity, as well as a heightened chance of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases. In children, their devastating effects pose a threat to their development and long-term health, including immunosuppression.
More worryingly, in Malaysia, the absence of transparent labelling requirements for PFAS-containing pesticides has enabled widespread and largely uncontrolled use. This regulatory blind spot undermines consumer awareness and informed choice, in addition to perpetuating exposure risks across communities, agriculture, and ecosystems.
As biological process disruptors, the extent of harm caused by PFAS pesticides does not stop at human health. PFAS pesticides affect soil health and fertility by persisting and accumulating to harmful concentrations. These exposed lands are used for food crops over and over, creating a continuous cycle of contamination that affects the food produced. Recent studies have proven that fruits and vegetables in the United Kingdom and across European Union are contaminated with PFAS pesticides. Ingestion of these products is harmful to humans, and their persistence raises a red flag, as the chemical has been found in human bodily fluids at detectable levels.
The International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), of which CAP is an active participating organisation, has consistently called for the global elimination of PFAS. This position reflects mounting scientific evidence of their extreme persistence in the environment and severe health risks to communities worldwide. Cross-referencing by CAP has revealed that currently there are 14 PFAS active ingredients comprising 62 trade names of registered pesticides in Malaysia.
Given the mounting scientific evidence of the harm posed by PFAS pesticides to human health and the environment, CAP urges the Malaysian government to impose immediate regulatory controls on their use. Moving towards sustainable and health-conscious pest management, Malaysia must identify and heavily restrict PFAS in pesticides to prevent further harm.
Comprehensive studies and monitoring on PFAS pesticides are urgently needed to assess their persistence and impacts in local contexts. Equally critical is the implementation of full transparency in labelling, as consumers have a fundamental right to know the chemicals they are exposed to and encounter.
With mounting evidence on the harm posed by PFAS pesticides, immediate measures are essential to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and secure the well-being of generations. The agricultural sector should transition away from toxic herbicides and embrace safer agroecological production methods.
Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang
Media Statement, 8 October 2026
Click here to read the memorandum: https://consumer.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CAP-Memorandum-2026_Regulate-PFAS-Pesticides.pdf