Imagine this brilliant idea: distributing sewage, potentially contaminated with toxic chemicals, onto farms. It’s hard to fathom what could possibly go awry, right?
That last statement, of course, is rhetorical – assuming the state Department of Environmental Conservation comprehends the concept.
In late May, the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter raised concerns about sewage sludge being used as fertilizer in New York. They argue that the state has failed to regulate this practice, despite another state banning it due to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in humans and farms that utilized sewage sludge as fertilizer.
The Capital Region itself has witnessed the hazards of PFAS, as demonstrated by Hoosick Falls’ ongoing contamination of its drinking water caused by local industries. PFAS, commonly used in nonstick coatings and firefighting foam, have been discovered in soils, water systems, and wells nationwide.
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” due to their indeterminate lifespan in the environment, can accumulate in the body and have been associated with various health ailments like cancer, thyroid disease, and liver damage. The EPA recently asserted that there is no safe level of these contaminants in drinking water, proposing regulations for some types with concentrations as low as four parts per trillion – the minimum concentration capable of reliable measurement.
It’s entirely reasonable to infer, as Maine officials have recognized, that toxic chemicals absorbed by humans and subsequently excreted in waste and applied to the ground will end up in the soil and water table. Nevertheless, the DEC in New York appears strangely indifferent to this matter.
Pertinent records obtained through the state Freedom of Information Law reveal that in 2017, the Sierra Club discovered the DEC’s awareness of PFAS presence in effluent and solid waste produced by wastewater treatment plants, yet they failed to inform the plants or propose any restrictions. Conversely, the agency actively promotes sewage sludge as fertilizer. The Sierra Club also discovered that by 2019, the state was aware of at least 46 sites where sewage sludge or compost had been spread, but testing for chemical pollutants in the material only commenced recently.
The organization reasonably insists that the state should provide financial assistance to farmers who may have experienced contaminated land and calls for a ban on the usage of sewage sludge as fertilizer.
Unfortunately, the DEC’s response offers little solace. As reported by Brendan J. Lyons of the Times Union, while the agency acknowledges the potential risks associated with spreading contaminated sewage, they also assert that properly treated and processed recycled biosolids can be beneficial.
However, where is the policy outlining mandatory sampling and specifying the actions that will be taken? Surprisingly, it was only drafted last month. This lack of proactivity is concerning.
New York must not transform its farms, gardens, parks, and playgrounds into an extensive Petri dish for public health agricultural experiments. Until this practice can be effectively regulated, closely monitored, and performed safely, the state should promptly suspend it.
For those who still question what could go wrong, let’s not forget the lessons learned from Hoosick Falls.
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