Farmers and residents in Van Zandt County, Texas, are protesting a landowner's permit to spread biosolids fertilizer, which they fear contains harmful "forever chemicals" that could contaminate their land and water.
Rebecca Lopez reports for WFAA.
In short:
- At a public meeting, residents opposed a permit for using biosolids fertilizer, expressing concerns about PFAS, or "forever chemicals."
- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality stated it cannot currently test for PFAS under Texas regulations, but new EPA guidelines are expected later this year.
- The landowner plans to withdraw the permit due to public backlash and ongoing investigations into potential contamination in other counties.
Key quote:
“You can’t guarantee that the aquifer won’t be poisoned by this stuff you are going to put on the ground. And as a lifelong Texan, I find that appalling.”
— Chris Morris, Van Zandt County resident
Why this matters:
Despite their useful properties, PFAS are persistent in the environment and in the human body—they don't break down and can accumulate over time. This durability raises significant environmental and health concerns, particularly regarding water pollution. These chemicals can seep into soil, contaminate drinking water and enter the food chain through fish and other wildlife, posing health risks to animals and humans alike.
