The article, “Homeowners Worried About Chemicals Being Spread in Sewage Fertilizer,” by Michael Clements via The Epoch Times, highlights concerns from rural landowners about sewage sludge, known as “biosolids,” being used as fertilizer. The sludge, a byproduct of wastewater treatment plants, is treated and used as a soil amendment, but critics argue that it poses health and environmental risks. The article discusses the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids, which are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will maintain current guidelines for PFAS levels in drinking water, despite concerns from residents and advocates. The use of biosolids as fertilizer remains controversial, with some states banning the practice over safety concerns. The article features testimonies from property owners like the Traywick family in Oklahoma and Julie Lay in Alabama, who have experienced negative impacts from the use of biosolids on nearby farmland. Critics argue that the long-term effects of biosolids on land and human health are unknown, and urge for more stringent regulations on their use.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that since the 1940s, a majority of Americans have likely already been exposed to the chemicals.
A study from 2016 conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services discovered evidence suggesting that chemicals in the PFAS family could potentially disrupt the human immune system. Furthermore, research has indicated possible links between these chemicals and cancer.
For more information, you can read the full article here…