For decades, American farmers unknowingly spread toxic "forever chemicals" across millions of acres, only now discovering the long-term health and environmental consequences.
Hiroko Tabuchi reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Municipal sewage sludge, used as fertilizer, has been found to contain harmful "forever chemicals" like PFAS, now contaminating farmland across the U.S.
- Farmers are increasingly concerned about the impact on their health and the safety of their produce, with some already facing legal battles and financial ruin.
- States like Maine and Michigan are beginning to regulate and test for these chemicals, though comprehensive federal action remains limited.
Key quote:
“This isn’t just isolated to this county, or even multiple counties. This is going on all over.”
— Larry Woolley, county commissioner
Why this matters:
PFAS have been linked to a slew of health issues, from cancer to birth defects. And it’s not just the soil that’s contaminated—livestock are getting sick, produce is carrying traces of these toxins, and farmers are starting to worry that their own health is at risk. Read more: Dead livestock and poisoned water — Texas farmers sue over PFAS contamination.
