Pesticide makers can now use aluminum in seed coatings without proving its safety

US environmental regulators just made it easier to use aluminum in pesticide seed coatings. Manufacturers no longer need to prove that specific aluminum residues are safe for this use.

For years, any new ingredient in pesticides needed a 'tolerance' — a maximum safe level set by regulators. This rule removes that step for aluminum when it is used as a colorant on seeds. This means pesticide companies can use aluminum in seed treatments without the cost and time of a full safety review for that specific application.