Read the full article by Kritiksha Sharma (The Cool Down)
“Scientists at 3M made a ‘startling discovery’ in the early 2000s: high levels of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or forever chemicals, were accumulating in sewage sludge used as fertilizer on U.S. farmland, per The New York Times. Despite being warned in 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency has continued to promote sludge fertilizer without requiring testing.
As reported by the Times, this alarming discovery has seen barely any rectification. High levels of toxic forever chemicals have been accumulating in sewage sludge across the U.S. This sludge, often repurposed as fertilizer with support from the EPA, was contaminating farmland, food, and water supplies nationwide.
Despite learning about this data in 2003, the EPA has continued to promote the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer without requiring testing for PFAS. According to the Times, only one state, Maine, has begun systematically testing its farms for contamination.” …