A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that sewage sludge could be releasing toxic “forever chemicals” into the environment, posing health risks to farmers, their livestock, and the general public. The agency’s draft risk assessment examines the potential health impacts of these chemicals on populations living near sites using sewage sludge as fertilizer.
The EPA found that levels of forever chemicals in sewage sludge often exceed acceptable thresholds by several orders of magnitude, with some areas containing concentrations hundreds of years away from breaking down. Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, thyroid disease, and other health complications.
The study’s findings are concerning because PFAS take hundreds of years to degrade, making them a persistent environmental contaminant. Experts say the EPA’s risk assessment is significant, as it highlights a broader issue surrounding the unrestricted use of PFAS in industry.
While the EPA hopes policymakers will consider its data when making decisions on wastewater management and land use, there is uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s stance on the matter. The president has rolled back previous regulations aimed at safeguarding public health, but has expressed a desire for a healthier America.
To mitigate exposure to PFAS, consumers can support brands that offer PFAS-free products and limit their exposure by choosing these options. Raising awareness about the dangers of forever chemicals is also crucial in putting PFAS-related issues on more people’s radars.
Source: https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/sewage-sludge-forever-chemicals-epa-risk