EPA Issues Draft Guidance on PFAS in Sewage Sludge

The Environmental Protection Agency released draft guidance this week that criticizes an earlier risk assessment on PFAS chemicals in sewage sludge used as farm fertilizer. The document states the prior assessment exhibited serious flaws, including the lack of a national survey of the chemicals and a focus only on higher-risk management practices.

The earlier assessment examined potential cancer and other health risks from consuming milk, beef, or eggs from farms where contaminated sludge had been applied. It also identified possible risks from drinking water drawn from affected groundwater or eating fish exposed to farm runoff.

The new guidance offers voluntary steps for farmers, wastewater treatment plants, and the public. These include avoiding sludge near drinking water sources, monitoring sludge for PFAS, and limiting use on high-risk crops. Jessica Kramer, the agency's water chief, wrote that the recommendations aim to protect public health while supporting wastewater systems and beneficial uses of biosolids when appropriate.

Erica Kyzmir-McKeon, director of communities and toxics at the Conservation Law Foundation, said the guidance fails to address health and environmental risks and signals no intent to regulate PFAS in sludge. PFAS are a family of thousands of chemicals used for waterproof and stain-resistant properties.

Two of the most studied, PFOA and PFOS, are addressed in the documents.