South Carolina's Controversial Farmland Contamination: Superfund Site Proposal Looms

Years of using wastewater sludge as fertilizer from the now-abandoned Galey & Lord textile mill have led to severe contamination in surrounding agricultural fields. With alarming levels of PFAS detected, authorities push for a major federal cleanup initiative to protect public health.

The abandoned Galey & Lord textile mill in Society Hill, South Carolina, stands as a stark reminder of environmental negligence. Once celebrated as the “King of Khaki” for its significant role in fabric production, the mill is now surrounded by a grim reality—10,000 acres of farmland potentially contaminated by hazardous substances, particularly “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.

For decades, the mill disposed of its sludge by offering it to local farmers as fertilizer. Unbeknownst to these farmers, the sewage sludge was laden with dangerous PFAS chemicals linked to severe health risks, including cancer. Presently, environmental officials are advocating for this stretch of contaminated land to be designated as a Superfund cleanup site, a move that could set a troubling precedent.

Robert O’Neal, a local farmer, recalls the promises made by the mill operators. "They said that it was good fertilizer, that it would help our crops," he reflected, highlighting the misinformation that led to the current crisis. Testing has confirmed high concentrations of PFAS in the very fields where crops are grown, posing a serious threat to health and safety.

This impending cleanup would mark a significant chapter as the first known instance of farmland being declared a Superfund site due to sewage sludge fertilizer contamination. With the mill itself designated as a Superfund site three years ago, the push for federal intervention to address the surrounding farmland contamination is gaining urgency.

The situation serves as a critical reminder of the long-term environmental impacts of industrial practices and the necessity for stricter regulations in managing waste disposal, particularly in agricultural settings. As investigations continue, the health of the community hangs in the balance, awaiting a solution to rectify decades of neglect and misinformation.