Years after 3M informed the EPA about toxic "forever chemicals" in sewage sludge used as fertilizer, the agency still promotes its use without mandatory testing, raising alarm about environmental contamination.
EPA's Ongoing Promotion of Controversial Fertilizer Amidst PFAS Awareness
EPA's Ongoing Promotion of Controversial Fertilizer Amidst PFAS Awareness
Investigative findings reveal the Environmental Protection Agency's knowledge of dangerous chemicals in fertilizer while the health risks continue to rise.
In early 2000, scientists at chemical powerhouse 3M made a troubling discovery regarding "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, in wastewater that was becoming pervasive in the environment. This alarming information pointed to high levels of these chemicals, frequently employed in various products like nonstick cookware and stain-resistant textiles, lurking in the nation’s sewage systems. Given the substantial health risks associated with PFAS, including links to serious conditions such as cancer and birth defects, the implications were severe—especially considering that sewage sludge was routinely applied to farmland as fertilizer, a practice endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Although 3M did not publicly release their findings, documentation indicates that the company communicated their research to the EPA in a 2003 meeting. The details around the interactions between 3M and EPA regarding these hazardous materials had previously remained underreported. Despite the increasing body of evidence advocating for caution, the EPA continues to endorse sewage sludge as an agricultural fertilizer without necessitating testing for PFAS.
The persistence of this practice is concerning, particularly given the longstanding warnings from various parties, including whistle-blowers, academics, and state officials, pointing to the contamination risks posed by PFAS-laden sludge. David Lewis, a former EPA microbiologist who raised alarms in the late 1990s about sludge application, emphasized that this type of waste introduces highly complex chemical mixtures into soil, contributing to long-term environmental damage. He noted that this results in near-permanent contamination conditions over time, further complicating the agricultural landscape and heightening risks for both ecosystems and human health.
As the EPA faces scrutiny for its actions—or lack thereof—regarding the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer, the need for transparency surrounding chemical contamination has never been more urgent. With increasing awareness of PFAS and its implications, advocates are calling for reevaluation of agricultural practices that may inadvertently contribute to public health crises.
