The county seeks federal assistance to address contamination issues affecting health and agriculture.
Texas County Faces Dire Consequences from Toxic Fertilizer Contamination
Texas County Faces Dire Consequences from Toxic Fertilizer Contamination
Johnson County declares emergency over hazardous "forever chemicals" found in local farmland.
Johnson County, located south of Fort Worth, Texas, is grappling with a severe situation as it moves to declare a state of emergency due to toxic "forever chemicals" found in agricultural land. The emergency declaration comes after county investigations revealed alarming levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) linked to fertilizer derived from treated sewage.
The contamination was identified at two cattle ranches, sparking fears over the safety of local agriculture and drinking water. Officials assert that the harmful PFAS components originated from fertilizer used on a nearby farm, which was sourced from sewage processed at Fort Worth’s wastewater treatment facility.
Recent reports, including a detailed investigation by The New York Times, have spotlighted the dangers posed by using contaminated sewage sludge as fertilizer, particularly its ramifications for farmers in Johnson County. PFAS, widely used in various consumer products such as nonstick cookware and waterproof textiles, is known to be linked to serious health risks, including certain cancers and developmental issues in children.
In light of these findings, Johnson County officials passed a resolution urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to endorse the emergency declaration and request federal disaster aid. Commissioner Larry Woolley highlighted the unprecedented nature of the situation, emphasizing that the requested funds would be vital for conducting rigorous tests and monitoring of water sources, as well as addressing the potential need for the euthanization of affected livestock and reclamation efforts on contaminated land.
The contamination was identified at two cattle ranches, sparking fears over the safety of local agriculture and drinking water. Officials assert that the harmful PFAS components originated from fertilizer used on a nearby farm, which was sourced from sewage processed at Fort Worth’s wastewater treatment facility.
Recent reports, including a detailed investigation by The New York Times, have spotlighted the dangers posed by using contaminated sewage sludge as fertilizer, particularly its ramifications for farmers in Johnson County. PFAS, widely used in various consumer products such as nonstick cookware and waterproof textiles, is known to be linked to serious health risks, including certain cancers and developmental issues in children.
In light of these findings, Johnson County officials passed a resolution urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to endorse the emergency declaration and request federal disaster aid. Commissioner Larry Woolley highlighted the unprecedented nature of the situation, emphasizing that the requested funds would be vital for conducting rigorous tests and monitoring of water sources, as well as addressing the potential need for the euthanization of affected livestock and reclamation efforts on contaminated land.
