EPA Warns of PFAS Exposure From Biosolids in Long-Awaited Report
The U.S. EPA warns that two kinds of PFAS chemicals can harm human health when found in biosolids at concentrations as low as 1 part per billion after the material has been disposed of or used as fertilizer. The agency determined the chemicals could leach from the material, commonly known as sewage sludge, whether it’s land applied, disposed of in a landfill or incinerated.
The EPA released its draft risk assessment Tuesday. It’s the first comprehensive look performed by the agency at contamination from PFOA and PFOS, two forms of perfluoroalkyl substances, in biosolids.