Ministry of Health Detects PFAS and Drug Residues in Irrigated Produce
A Ministry of Health survey detected pharmaceutical residues and PFAS "forever chemicals" in leafy greens irrigated with recycled wastewater, prompting calls for enhanced monitoring and source control.
A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Health's National Environmental Health Division has detected residues of pharmaceutical drugs and persistent chemicals, commonly known as "forever chemicals" (PFAS), in leafy green vegetables grown in fields irrigated with recycled wastewater. The findings highlight the hidden challenges of Israel's advanced water recycling infrastructure.
Findings on Pharmaceuticals and PFAS
The survey examined crops such as coriander, parsley, celery, and Swiss chard. Carbamazepine, an epilepsy medication frequently detected in Israeli leafy greens in the past, was found in 51 out of 75 samples (approximately 68%), with concentrations ranging from 0.022 to 55.6 micrograms per kilogram. The highest concentration was measured in coriander grown in the Ta'anach region, irrigated with treated wastewater from the Kishon complex originating at the Haifa wastewater treatment plant. However, in most samples, concentrations remained low, with only a minority exceeding 10 micrograms per kilogram.
In addition to pharmaceuticals, the study tested for 30 groups of PFAS compounds. At least one compound group was detected in vegetables across various samples, with 5 samples (7%) exceeding European tracking thresholds. These samples—comprising Swiss chard, coriander, celery, and parsley—were all gathered in the Ta'anach region, either directly from fields or local markets. PFAS are synthetic chemicals utilized in non-stick cookware, waterproof apparel, food packaging, and firefighting foams. They are termed "forever chemicals" due to their extreme persistence in nature and their tendency to bioaccumulate in soil, water, and living organisms. Long-term exposure has been linked by researchers to immune and liver system impairments, elevated cholesterol, and certain cancers.
Official Stance and Future Monitoring
Despite the detections, the Ministry of Health stated that the findings do not indicate an immediate health risk under normal consumption patterns. Dr. Tamar Berman, head of health and environmental risk assessment at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for source control:
"The concentrations found are relatively low. We must continue monitoring chemical presence in irrigation sources, runoff reservoirs, and other water bodies. The most important step is preventing pollution at the source so it never reaches the fields."
The Ministry of Health has recommended that the Water Authority implement quaternary treatment for recycled wastewater to remove micro-pollutants such as pharmaceutical residues, hormones, and industrial compounds, which standard purification stages fail to break down. While countries like the United States and Switzerland require advanced micro-pollutant removal for potable water, implementing such specialized treatment specifically for agricultural irrigation remains a pioneering endeavor globally.
