The alarm bells started in the farthest Northeastern corner of the United States. In 2016, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the milk of a dairy farm in Arundel, Maine. Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are known to cause cancer, fertility problems, high blood pressure, and developmental issues. And it turns out that the PFAS found in the milk of the Arundel dairy farm was just the beginning.
Maine DEP testing after 2016 found over 70 contaminated farms, including at least four farms that have closed due to the chemicals. Nationally, the extent of PFAS contamination on farmland is unknown, although the Environmental Working Group estimated in 2022 that forever chemicals may impact as much as 20 million acres of U.S. cropland.
One of the primary ways forever chemicals end up in our food system is by spreading “sludge” as fertilizer on farmland. Initially, this process was considered an environmentally friendly way to deal with waste: “sludge” is a slurry of wastewater, sewage, and a wide range of byproducts such as decomposing plant and animal matter, pathogens, and heavy metals. In the 1980s, it was thought that spreading this mixture on farmers’ fields would help by providing free nutrients for the soil and keeping the toxic mixture out of waterways. At that time, no one realized that the chemicals in sludge would remain in the soil and transfer into the grass and plants grown there.
Since the 1980s, we have come to understand that sludge contains forever chemicals, but the mixture is still spread as fertilizer in 49 states. Maine is the only state to outlaw sludge spreading, and in June 2024, Connecticut enacted legislation aiming to phase out the use of intentionally added PFAS in various consumer products.
After initial testing in Maine, the state legislature worked with farming organizations and the Maine DEP to establish a map of past sludge applications. Sludge spreading is regulated, and the state keeps records, so DEP quickly put together a searchable database so farmers and landowners could see if their properties had received sludge applications. The state then began a testing regime, beginning at “Tier 1” sites where over 10,000 cubic yards or more of sludge had been applied.
Maine has led the way not only in PFAS testing but also in providing resources for affected farmers and holding the companies behind forever chemicals accountable. According to Sarah Alexander, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Maine is about a decade ahead of other states in understanding the impact of PFAS on agriculture. Her organization’s current lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency seeks to push federal legislation against sludge spreading.
Throughout the rest of the U.S. and the world, accessible testing and public databases of sludge applications do not exist. Without accessible and accurate contamination mapping, farmers are left with a scary situation: not only is it possible you are farming on contaminated land, but nearby farms could be continuing to apply chemicals that leach into groundwater, possibly affecting your crops and even your drinking water.
As dire as it sounds, there are still steps you can take to protect yourself and your crops, or at least be aware of your risk of PFAS contamination. Here are a few ways to determine your PFAS risk:
Test your water
The easiest and least expensive test to do is a water test. If your water test comes back positive, you may also find soil contamination. If your home utilizes well water, testing for PFAS can also help determine whether to install a filter to protect your household’s health. Companies like Cyclopure make PFAS water testing kits, and some states offer testing resources. When looking into test kits, ensure the laboratory is certified with the EPA.
Know your farm’s history
If you are fortunate enough to have inherited a family farm or are still in touch with previous property owners, you may be able to simply ask if the fields have been spread with sludge.
Understanding a property’s complete history can be extremely helpful. Some fields may have had a single application of sludge, and some may have been spread many times, compounding the problem.
Asking neighboring farms about their sludge history is also helpful. While your farm may not have had sludge spread on it, it could still be contaminated. Forever chemicals can leach into the groundwater or travel downstream, affecting other properties.
More than just sludge
While sludge is a common reason farmland is contaminated with PFAS, sludge is not the only source of forever chemicals. Other usual places to find PFAS are near chemical plants, military bases, and anywhere fire-fighting foam has been used. Identifying potential PFAS sources in your geographic area can also help determine risk.
Pressure your representatives
The problem of PFAS will continue as long as forever chemicals are used in everyday items such as cleaning products, outdoor wear waterproofing, non-stick pan coatings, and disposable fast-food wrappers.
Ask your local representative to pursue a federal ban on PFAS to hold companies accountable. Contact your favorite sports gear or fast-food brands and ask them to make their products without using forever chemicals. Support local and grassroots efforts for clean water initiatives or national organizations dedicated to eliminating PFAS. Defend Our Health, the Silent Spring Institute, Toxic-Free Future, and in North Carolina, ToxicFree NC are all great organizations to get involved with.
Remediation
Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for forever chemicals. Current remediation efforts to restore soil are costly and challenging to scale. However, scientists around the country are working on soil restoration projects. Ongoing studies show promise, and there is hope that in the near future, a field contaminated with PFAS can be restored to growing land.
Kirsten Lie-Nielsen is a freelance writer focused on climate change, sustainability, modern agriculture, and rural lifestyles. She is the author of two books on homesteading and lives in rural Maine with her husband and many animals on a restored farm. More of her work can be found at hostilevalleyliving.com or instagram.com/hostilevalleyliving.