EPA Criticized for Weakening Guidance on PFAS Contamination in Farm Sludge, Endangering U.S. Farms and Food Supply
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for abandoning its scientific findings regarding the dangers of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge used as fertilizer and subsequently issuing watered-down guidance. SELC argues that the EPA is downplaying the risks, leaving farming families and communities exposed to toxic 'forever chemicals.' The EPA's proposed guidance relies on voluntary actions from companies, which SELC contends is insufficient, advocating instead for mandatory safeguards and enforcement. Despite the EPA suggesting sludge is applied to less than 1% of U.S. farmland, industry data indicates that approximately 70 million acres, or nearly one-fifth of all agricultural land, utilize sewage sludge as fertilizer. This widespread practice means that PFAS contamination has the potential to affect communities and farmland on a massive scale, impacting soil, crops, livestock, and drinking water. SELC previously submitted comments to the EPA on an...
