E.P.A.'s Continued Support for Toxic Fertilizer Raises Concerns Amid Long-Known Risks

Despite early warnings from 3M regarding toxic PFAS chemicals contaminating sewage utilized for agricultural purposes, the E.P.A. persists in endorsing its use. Documents reveal the agency's awareness of the health risks linked to these chemicals, yet no testing is mandated.

In the early 2000s, 3M scientists made a significant discovery – alarming levels of PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” were detected in the country’s sewage systems. These chemicals, found in everyday products like nonstick pans and stain-resistant carpets, were emerging as prevalent pollutants in the environment. The implications were dire, as research indicated that exposure to PFAS was linked to serious health issues including birth defects and various cancers.

Essentially, the sewage containing these harmful substances was being promoted by the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) as a viable fertilizer option for farmland across the nation. Alarmingly, this meant that potentially toxic materials were being spread across agricultural lands without farmers being aware of the risks involved.

Although 3M shared crucial findings with the E.P.A. during a meeting in 2003, illuminating the presence of PFAS in sewage, the agency has not mandated any testing for these substances in sludge used as fertilizer. Over the years, various whistle-blowers, academic studies, and state officials have voiced concerns about contamination; yet the E.P.A. remains firm in its stance, perpetuating a practice that many experts deem unsafe.

David Lewis, a former microbiologist with the E.P.A., reiterated the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the complex mixtures of chemicals in the soil due to sewage sludge. He cautioned that once contaminated, the affected soil remains so for the long term, raising serious questions about the integrity of agricultural practices that utilize this type of fertilizer.