Farmer’s Bill: A Reprieve for U.S. Farmers Affected By PFAS

PFAS substances are man-made chemicals that contain carcinogens which affect humans through inhalation and exposure. Credit: Shutterstock.

By Stan Gottfredson
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US, Jan 16 2025 (IPS)

The use of fertilizers has been introduced in society to enrich soil and supply high-grade harvests for centuries. As time went on, humans have managed to develop new ways to reform this operation, and as such, have formed a lessened health risk fertilizer called “biosolids”.

Biosolids are primarily used to provide nutrients in the agriculture field (i.e., farming and mining). Currently, there are nine states in the US permitted to authorize biosolids (Arizona, Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin).

Being a physically and chemically treated product, it is marketed as an option for minimizing risk to human health. However, that might not be the case, as there is a relative problem that seems to seep through its promised benefits.

Maine is one of the first few states in the USA to pass a legislation banning wastewater and compost biosolids because of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) also known as forever chemicals.

PFAS substances are man-made chemicals that contain carcinogens which affect humans through inhalation and exposure.

Several farmers across the US were not initially informed about the existence of PFAS in the biosolids they use as fertilizers or feed. Acres of land are at risk of being inoperable, along with livestock and produce, if investigations reveal high levels of PFAS from these assets

According to the report, a case investigation back in 2016 revealed water contaminants in the drinking water supplies over the US, and a farm field for a water district located on the southern part of Maine was found to have high PFAS soil levels, including produce (i.e., milk), manure, and even grass.

This action has resulted in Connecticut also banning biosolid products, to use and sell, to reduce the spread of any concentrations of PFAS in the water locale of the said state.

In an interview to discuss the effect of PFAS on farms, it was disclosed that several farmers across the US were not initially informed about the existence of PFAS in the biosolids they use as fertilizers or feed. Acres of land are at risk of being inoperable, along with livestock and produce, if investigations reveal high levels of PFAS from these assets.

As such, it will come as no surprise if some farmers are forced into a condition near bankruptcy. With the Environmental Protection Agency expected to release PFAS guidelines, several states have started to examine this matter, as farmers are also lining up to file lawsuits for compensation against their losses.

A motion was presented in 2023 to help farmers affected with PFAS. S.747, or the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act, aims to produce a program that is focused on identifying PFAS-contaminated agricultural lands, containing and disposing contaminated farm produce or livestock, presenting financial health aid and income assistance to victims, monitoring health-related complications of exposed individuals to PFAS, researching about strategies and possible remedy in PFAS contamination.

To ensure its efficiency, a task force consisting of officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture will be organized to assess actions detected on contaminated farms and administer reports to the Secretary about the activities directing to PFAS contamination.

However, as hopeful of the kind of future this legislation offers, the fight against PFAS contamination is still relatively present. 8,865 sites in 50 states were described as being contaminated with PFAS in a recently published article. With several states beginning to acknowledge and support steps against the use of PFAS in products and producing standards to prevent further contamination in the environment, it is no surprise that victims are actively searching for a way to even out the damage this harmful chemical has inflicted in their lives.

Stan Gottfredson is the President and CEO of Atraxia Law, a firm located in San Diego, California focused on advising and aiding victims of toxic exposure.