the article below summarizes the administration's policy to deal with PFAS in the US
Untreated Sewage Sludge Contaminates 10,000 Acres of Farmland
Sewage sludge that was spread over 300 farm fields in South Carolina between 1993 and 2013 was found to contain an unsafe amount of PFAS in some cases, hundreds of thousands of times over the EPA standards. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, can cause serious health problems in humans and animals, including cancer. This is prompting calls for a federal cleanup by South Carolina officials. Read more about this here.
PFAS can be removed from sewage sludge by way of multiple hearth furnaces that can remove the PFAS thorugh high temperatures.
The Negative Impact of Sewage Sludge Used As Fertilizer
In an article by the AP, local residents in Wellston, OK, complain of the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer. This is just one story of many similar ones across the country. The biggest concern is the health risks from PFAS, or "forever chemicals," often found in untreated sewage sludge. PFAS don't degrade and can cause serious health issues for animals and humans as they contaminate the soil and water supply.
PFAS Contaminated a Texas County’s Farms
In an article published on the Sentient, county officials in Johnson County, Texas, declared a state of disaster after an increase in animal deaths due to high levels of PFAS contained in the county's farmland. This high level of PFAS is due to the use of sewage sludge that has not been treated and is used as fertilizer. As a result, there are now two lawsuits, one from local farmers and one from both local farmers and the county.
EPA Warns of PFAS in Sewage Sludge Fertilizer
In an article by the New York Times, "In a First, the E.P.A. Warns of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Sludge Fertilizer", the EPA has officially warned that PFAS or "forever chemicals" that can be found in sewage sludge that is used for fertilizer, can be harmful to human health.
The EPA performed an extensive study where it found that while the general food supply is ok, in some cases PFAS my exceed the EPA's safety standards.
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Will Vermont address agricultural use of sludge laden with ‘forever chemicals?’
According to WCAX Channel 3 in Vermont, a recent report shows that much of the sewage sludge spread on Vermont farms contains PFAS, or "forever chemicals" that could be entering the food supply.
The practice of using sewage sludge is not as widely used as it used to be, it is still legal in the state of Vermont.
According to the article, "We already know that many common consumer products -- food packaging, furniture, and clothing -- have been traced to PFAS. However, there are growing concerns that some of the foods we consume can also be traced back to the waste stream in the form of PFAS-laden sludge or biosolids from waste treatment plants."
EPA Eliminates Chemical Safety Review Exemptions for PFAS
According to Chemical Processing, as of December 4th, the EPA has eliminated low production exemptions for chemicals containing PFAS. This will help to ensure that new PFAS that can have potential harm to humans are subject to full safety reivews before manufacturing. From the article:
“Today, we’ve modernized our chemical reviews and continued to protect people from unsafe new PFAS," said Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
Casella offers to drop sludge spreading plans in Thurston
According to FingerLakes1.com, Casella Waste Systems Inc. has offered to drop all plans to spread sewage sludge on fields in Thurston if the Steuben County town will allow to operate a composting facility instead at its Bonny Hill Organics site. But Town Supervisor Michael Volino said Sunday that Thurston won’t be accepting that informal offer made to him in an Aug. 5 letter from Tom West, the company’s attorney.
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Town of Cameron in Steuben County takes steps to legally ban sewage sludge
The town of Cameron in Steuben County is moving toward banning the use of biosolids as fertilizer due to concerns about PFAS. The town passed a resolution to conduct an environmental assessment as part of the process required by the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). Cameron follows Thurston, a neighboring town that banned biosolids last year. The county now has 30 days to review the assessment, with a public hearing scheduled for August 14.
Town OKs increased borrowing to pay cost of new upgrade at sewage treatment plant, which rose nearly 80% since 2022
The Riverhead Town Board recently approved an increased project budget for a new wastewater treatment facility. This increase, largely due to COVID-related supply chain issues and design changes, will cost the town $18.65 million and is to be paid off over 30 years. The project will convert the current sludge handling process to create Class A biosolids, which are more environmentally friendly and will save the town an estimated $25 million in operational costs over the next three decades. The project will be financed through property assessments within the service area, with the town securing a $17 million no-interest loan from the N.Y. State Environmental Services Corporation.
Beef With Biosolids: Concern Spreads in Pennsylvania County
Residents in Luzerne County, PA, are voicing their concerns over Biosolids being spread on farmland as fertilizer in Huntington Township. Biosolid is treated sewage sludge. Although Biosolids have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, residents are concerned that they could contain forever chemicals that could leach into streams. Since forever chemicals don't break down, they are concerned that these PFAS will build up over time and cause larger issues down the road.
While the state regulates biosolid use, there's no current standard for PFAS in biosolids. Township officials, like Barry Kyttle, are exploring ways to manage the issue, including possibly implementing a hauling fee to discourage farmers from using biosolids in the area. Currently, this "fertilizer" is free for farmers to use. One resident voiced his concern over this free fertilizer, saying “you have to wonder, if it’s so good and it’s supposed to be a premium fertilizer, then why is it free?”
Connecticut Passes Act Preventing Use or Sale of Biosolids or Sludge Containing PFAS
The State of Connecticut legislature passed an Act (SB-292) that will ban the use, sell or offer for sale in the state as a soil amendment any biosolids or wastewater sludge that contain PFAS. This Act goes into effect on October 1, 2024.
Michigan mayor seeks multimillion-dollar wastewater upgrade
The mayor of Warren, Michigan, Lori Stone, is seeking up to $100 million to upgrade the city's outdated wastewater treatment system, which serves over 137,000 residents. The proposed upgrade includes a new high-tech incinerator to better handle organic waste. The current system, built in 1957, is failing, leading to operational challenges like transporting sludge to landfills. The city is pursuing state and federal funding, including infrastructure grants, and aims to be a pilot program for this new technology.