EPA Raises Alarm Over PFAS Contamination in Fertilizer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning about the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sewage sludge used as fertilizer, indicating potential health risks that may exceed safety thresholds significantly. This new assessment may pave the way for regulation of these harmful chemicals in agricultural practices.

In a groundbreaking announcement, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that sewage sludge used in fertilizers may harbor ‘forever chemicals,’ namely per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which could pose serious health risks. The agency's study indicates that in certain instances, contamination levels of these chemicals can surpass safety thresholds "by several orders of magnitude." Despite this alarming revelation, the EPA has reassured the public that the general food supply remains unaffected.

PFAS, commonly found in everyday products such as nonstick pans and stain-resistant fabrics, have been linked to various health problems, including an escalated risk of cancer. These chemicals do not decompose naturally in the environment, leading to concerns about their accumulation in soil, groundwater, crops, and livestock when tainted sludge is applied to agricultural lands.

Historically, the EPA has promoted the usage of treated sludge as a cost-efficient fertilizer option but has imposed no limits on PFAS content. This recent draft risk assessment could signify the beginnings of new regulations targeting PFAS in sludge, referred to in the industry as biosolids. Currently, while the EPA enforces limits on heavy metals and pathogens, it lacks regulations concerning PFAS.

The Biden administration has proactively addressed PFAS contamination in other areas as well, notably instituting limits for these substances in drinking water and classifying certain PFAS as hazardous under the Superfund cleanup legislation. This follows the 2023 declaration by the EPA that there is no safe level of exposure to two specific PFAS types. The establishment of these new regulations for biosolids could represent a critical step in reducing the widespread impact of these dangerous chemicals on public health and agricultural safety.