SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US, Jan 16 (IPS) – The use of fertilizers has been introduced to society to enrich the soil and provide high yields for centuries. Over time, people have been able to create new ways to change this work, and as a result, they have created a reduced health risk fertilizer called “biosolids”.
Biosolids are primarily used to provide nutrients in the agricultural sector (ie, farming and mining). Currently, there are nine states in the US that are allowed to approve biosolids (Arizona, Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin) .
As a physical and chemical treatment product, it is marketed as a way to reduce the risk to human health. However, this may not be the case, as there is a certain problem that seems to outweigh its promised benefits.
Maine is one of the first few states in the USA to pass a law banning wastewater and composting biosolids because of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) also known as permanent chemicals.
PFAS substances are man-made chemicals that contain carcinogens that affect humans through inhalation and exposure.
According to the report, a case investigation back in 2016 revealed water contamination in drinking water over the US, and a farm field in a water district in southern Maine was found to have high levels of PFAS, including produce (ie, milk), manure, and even hay.
This action led Connecticut to also ban biosolids products, use and sale, to reduce the spread of any PFAS concentrations in the state’s water bodies.
In a discussion discussing the effect of PFAS on farms, it was pointed out that few farmers across the US were not initially told about the presence of PFAS in the biosolids they use as fertilizer or feed. Acres of land are at risk of being lost, as well as livestock and production, if investigations reveal high levels of PFAS from these commodities.
Therefore, it will not be surprising if some farmers are forced to be in a situation close to bankruptcy. As the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue PFAS guidelines, several states have begun to examine the issue, as farmers also file claims for compensation for their losses.
A proposal was introduced in 2023 to help farmers affected by PFAS. IS.747, or the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act, aims to produce a program focused on identifying agricultural areas contaminated by PFAS, containing and disposing of contaminated farm produce or livestock, introducing financial health assistance and income assistance to victims, monitoring. Issues related to the health of people exposed to PFAS, researching strategies and possible remedies for PFAS contamination.
To ensure its effectiveness, a task force consisting of officials and employees of the Department of Agriculture will be organized to examine the activities found on contaminated farms and provide reports to the Secretary on activities aimed at PFAS contamination.
However, like the hope for the future of nature that this law provides, the fight against PFAS contamination is still here. 8,865 sites in all 50 states were described as PFAS-contaminated in a recently published article. With several states beginning to approve and support measures against the use of PFAS in products and manufacturing standards to prevent further environmental pollution, it is not surprising that victims are looking for a way to remove the damage caused by this dangerous chemical. their lives.
Stan Gottfredson is the President and CEO of Atraxia Law, a San Diego, California firm specializing in counseling and assisting victims of toxic exposure.
© Inter Press Service (2025) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
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