A Goldman Sachs-owned company, Synagro, is pushing for legislation to shield itself and other sludge fertilizer producers from lawsuits over PFAS pollution harming farmland.
Hiroko Tabuchi reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Synagro produces fertilizer from sewage sludge, which can contain PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” linked to cancer and birth defects.
- The company is lobbying Congress for legal protections against lawsuits, claiming PFAS contamination originates upstream.
- Proposed legislation would protect sludge companies and wastewater plants from liability, leaving farmers with limited legal recourse.
Key quote:
“What the biosolids companies are doing is attempting to buy themselves a ‘get out of jail free’ card.”
— Mary Whittle, attorney at Guerrero & Whittle.
Why this matters:
PFAS contamination poses serious health and environmental risks, impacting farmland, water, and food supplies. If companies escape liability, farmers may be left to bear the cleanup costs, threatening livelihoods and public health.
