A recent study by the E.P.A. reveals alarming levels of PFAS in fertilizer made from sewage sludge, prompting concerns about food safety and human health threats.
New E.P.A. Findings Raise Concerns Over PFAS in Fertilizer
New E.P.A. Findings Raise Concerns Over PFAS in Fertilizer
Agency warns that ‘forever chemicals’ in sewage sludge can exceed safety limits significantly
In a groundbreaking study, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has issued a warning regarding the pervasive presence of “forever chemicals” in sewage sludge used as fertilizer. The agency noted that levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can potentially exceed safety thresholds by several orders of magnitude, raising serious human health concerns. However, it reassured that the overall food supply remains safe.
PFAS, widely utilized in everyday products such as nonstick cookware and stain-resistant textiles, have proven to be a threat to human health. These manmade chemicals do not degrade in the environment, and when contaminated sludge is applied to agricultural land, there is a significant risk of soil, groundwater, crops, and livestock being tainted.
The origins of this concern trace back to research indicating that the chemical giant 3M detected PFAS levels in sludge samples from municipal wastewater treatment plants as far back as 2000. The company informed the E.P.A. of its findings in 2003. Historically, the E.P.A. encouraged the use of treated sludge as a cost-effective fertilizer without limits on PFAS contamination. However, the agency's new draft risk assessment signifies a potential shift in policy. If enacted, it could lay the groundwork for regularizing PFAS levels in biosolids, the industry term for agricultural sludge.
While the E.P.A. has established regulations for certain heavy metals and pathogens in sewage sludge, PFAS had previously escaped such scrutiny. The Biden administration has taken significant steps against PFAS contamination, introducing limits on their presence in drinking water and classifying specific types of PFAS as hazardous under the Superfund cleanup law, following the declaration that there's no safe exposure level for them. As this issue gains traction, the E.P.A.'s unfolding regulations may redefine how the agricultural and environmental sectors manage sludge-derived fertilizers.
PFAS, widely utilized in everyday products such as nonstick cookware and stain-resistant textiles, have proven to be a threat to human health. These manmade chemicals do not degrade in the environment, and when contaminated sludge is applied to agricultural land, there is a significant risk of soil, groundwater, crops, and livestock being tainted.
The origins of this concern trace back to research indicating that the chemical giant 3M detected PFAS levels in sludge samples from municipal wastewater treatment plants as far back as 2000. The company informed the E.P.A. of its findings in 2003. Historically, the E.P.A. encouraged the use of treated sludge as a cost-effective fertilizer without limits on PFAS contamination. However, the agency's new draft risk assessment signifies a potential shift in policy. If enacted, it could lay the groundwork for regularizing PFAS levels in biosolids, the industry term for agricultural sludge.
While the E.P.A. has established regulations for certain heavy metals and pathogens in sewage sludge, PFAS had previously escaped such scrutiny. The Biden administration has taken significant steps against PFAS contamination, introducing limits on their presence in drinking water and classifying specific types of PFAS as hazardous under the Superfund cleanup law, following the declaration that there's no safe exposure level for them. As this issue gains traction, the E.P.A.'s unfolding regulations may redefine how the agricultural and environmental sectors manage sludge-derived fertilizers.
