Maine's farmers prepare to take the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to court over its failure to regulate harmful chemicals in agricultural land.
Elizabeth Walztoni reports for Bangor Daily News.
In short:
- The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) alleges the EPA neglected its duty to regulate toxic PFAS in agricultural sludge.
- PFAS chemicals, linked to severe health issues, have contaminated 59 farms in Maine, impacting local agriculture.
- MOFGA cites a failure by the EPA to adhere to the Clean Water Act, which mandates the regulation of toxic pollutants in biosolids.
Why this matters:
The contamination primarily stems from the use of industrial sludge as fertilizer, a practice that seemed beneficial for soil health until the lurking consequences surfaced. As these chemicals seep into the soil, they degrade the quality of the land and threaten the safety of food supplies, such as milk, vegetables, and meats, produced on these farms.
