Role of Fluorochemicals in Agriculture

Since the late 1990's, governments around the world have been bombarded with pressure from environmental groups to ban the use of fluorine-derived chemicals in drinking water, organic foods and other consumables. As more and more studies about these chemicals are sponsored and brought to light, many environmental and public health groups are taking steps in an attempt to force governments to completely abolish the use of this "sometimes" poisonous element.

Fluorochemicals have many different uses and roles in agriculture. The most common use is to protect crops in the field as an ingredient in pesticides and herbicides. It has nearly taken the place of bromomethane, a pesticide that came under fire for its toxicity to the environment. Fluorine provides a viable and valuable alternative to bromomethane in pest-control products, and its introduction has led to the development of new and more active ingredients for pesticide purposes. Fluoro compounds also may be added to soil to sterilize it before specific crops are sowed into it. As a soil sterilizing agent, fluorine can neutralize any growth by crops other than those intended to be grown there. By reducing the growth of anything other than the target product, fluorine can help ensure that there are enough nutrients in the soil for that one crop.

In addition, fluoridation helps decontaminate water that might otherwise be useless for irrigating crops. The water fluoridation process is integral to watering and sustaining the crops, and of course, in providing water for cattle and other animals. New processes in processing are producing fluorochemicals that are less toxic to the environment and deliver more advantages in agriculture. As the industry continues to grow, they will continue to find ways to make these chemicals more productive and safer to use.