Across the United States, farmers are facing an invisible threat on their land: PFAS contamination. These toxic chemicals have made their way into farmland, threatening the health of livestock, farmers’ livelihoods, and the safety of food supplies.
Table of Contents
What are PFAS & Why are They Dangerous?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals found in many commercial and consumer products, from non-stick cookware and food packaging to firefighting foams. PFAS are widely used because they make things non-stick, waterproof, and grease-resistant.
However, PFAS are incredibly long-lasting, owing to the carbon-fluorine bond at the core of their structure, one of the strongest chemical bonds known. They are also known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down or go away when they enter the environment. As a result, they often make their way into humans due to contamination. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 97% of Americans have PFAS in their blood.
PFAS contamination of farmland is particularly concerning because these chemicals enter the food chain through contaminated crops and livestock. Consuming PFAS-contaminated water and food is very dangerous. Studies have linked PFAS to a range of health issues, including cancer, kidney and liver diseases, and birth defects.
The Issue with Sewage as a Fertiliser
Since the 1970s, sewage sludge has been marketed to farmers as a biosolid fertiliser in the U.S. This marketing was based on the idea that sewage is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium, all important nutrients for plant growth.
At the time, state environmental regulators said that this sewage sludge was safe to use on farms. It was said this sludge:
- Will not pollute any water of the state
- Will not contaminate the ambient air
- Will not constitute a hazard to health or welfare
- Will not create a nuisance
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the U.S. are responsible for producing biosolids from sewage waste. However, these WWTPs are not equipped to filter out PFAS, meaning biosolids produced from this waste are often contaminated with these chemicals.
PFAS Contamination on Farmlands
Following advice, U.S. farmers have spread sewage sludge across their fields for decades. However, high levels of PFAS are now being found in farmlands where this sludge was used as fertiliser. For many farmers, PFAS contamination has been devastating.
In Maine, Fred Stone discovered his cows had high levels of PFAS in their bodies. In the end, he was forced to cull most of his herd after realising the chemicals had entered the cows’ milk. Another farmer, Adam Nordell, purchased land in Maine for use as an organic farm. However, he later discovered that sewage sludge had been used on the soil decades earlier. After years of hard work, he and his family had to walk away from the farm.
“No farmer wants their tainted food to wind up on people’s dinner plates.” – Adam Nordell
The Path Forward: Challenges & Solutions
Maine has taken steps to address the crisis. In 2022, they became the first state to ban the use of sewage sludge on farmland. Connecticut followed, banning the land application of PFAS-containing biosolids from October 2024 and extending the restriction to fertiliser products in 2025. Several other states, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, now require PFAS testing of biosolids or set limits on their land application. But the problem isn’t limited to these states. It is suspected that there are PFAS-contaminated farms across every state in the U.S., affecting millions of acres of farmland. Despite these nationwide concerns, most states haven’t even begun testing for PFAS. In fact, most parts of the country are still using sewage sludge as fertiliser.
However, addressing PFAS contamination on farmland is a complex and expensive problem. In Maine, the state has established a PFAS fund to help farmers pivot to new businesses or test their products for PFAS. Some farmers are exploring alternatives like growing non-edible crops or using their land for solar farms. However, many states may struggle to find similar solutions without significant federal support.
In April 2024, the US EPA set the first enforceable national drinking water limits for PFAS, including a limit of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most widely studied compounds. In May 2026, the agency proposed rescinding the standards for the other four PFAS categories in the rule and allowing qualifying water systems until 2031 to meet the PFOA and PFOS limits.
Regarding biosolids, the EPA released a draft risk assessment in January 2025. It found that human health risks may exceed acceptable thresholds on some farms where sludge contains as little as 1 part per billion of PFOA or PFOS. However, the assessment has not been finalised. In June 2026, the EPA instead issued draft guidance on reducing these risks, which does not set binding limits. For now, many farmers remain in limbo, uncertain about the future of their land and their livelihoods.
Conclusion for PFAS Contamination Concerns
The issue of PFAS contamination on farmland is a crisis in America that requires immediate attention. While states like Maine and Connecticut have begun to take action, the majority of the U.S. still lags behind in testing and regulation. Farmers, who have unknowingly spread these toxic chemicals on their fields, are left to deal with the fallout. As the health risks of PFAS become clearer, so does the need to avoid exposure to these chemicals.
While Ireland has not reported such widespread PFAS contamination of farmland, we have not avoided PFAS concerns. In 2024, PFAS contamination was detected in soil and water around Dublin Airport.
PFAS regulation in Ireland has also tightened. Since 12 January 2026, the recast EU Drinking Water Directive has set legal limits for PFAS in drinking water: 0.1 µg/l for the ‘Sum of PFAS’ (20 specified compounds) and 0.5 µg/l for ‘PFAS Total’.
As a result, PFAS testing is crucial to make sure we can avoid dangerous exposure to these toxic chemicals. Southern Scientific is the only lab in Ireland accredited for PFAS testing. With more than 30 years of experience, INAB accreditation to ISO 17025, and over 10,000 drinking water samples analysed each year, we provide reliable, accredited results you can act on. By partnering with us, you can identify PFAS contamination early and take informed steps to reduce exposure.
