The Alarming Rise of ‘Forever’ Chemicals in America’s Agriculture

Something’s Poisoning America’s Farms: The Alarming Rise of ‘Forever’ Chemicals

For decades, American farmers have been encouraged by federal authorities to utilize municipal sewage as a fertilizer across millions of acres of farmland. This practice was initially lauded for its nutrient-rich composition and its role in diverting waste from landfills. However, recent research has unveiled a troubling reality: this black sludge, derived from the wastewater produced by homes and industrial facilities, harbors significant concentrations of hazardous chemicals. These substances are linked to increased risks of specific cancers, as well as causing serious birth defects and developmental delays in children.

Commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, these toxic pollutants are now being identified—sometimes in alarming concentrations—on agricultural lands throughout the United States. States like Texas, Maine, Michigan, New York, and Tennessee are grappling with the implications of this contamination. Disturbingly, there are growing concerns that these chemicals may be harming livestock and appearing in the produce, leading farmers to worry about their health and safety.

The extent of farmland contamination by these substances—scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—is only beginning to come to light. The chemicals are ubiquitous, found in a wide array of everyday products, from microwave popcorn bags and firefighting gear to nonstick cookware and stain-resistant textiles. As the situation unfolds, lawsuits are being filed against both the fertilizer providers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These legal actions contend that the EPA has neglected its responsibility to regulate the harmful effects of PFAS.

In Michigan, a state that has been at the forefront of investigating the presence of these chemicals in sludge fertilizers, officials took decisive action by shutting down a farm where testing revealed alarmingly high levels of contamination in both the soil and the cattle grazing on that land. This year, the state has permanently banned agricultural use of the affected property. However, Michigan has not yet initiated widespread testing at other farms, largely due to concerns about the potential economic repercussions for its agricultural sector.

A cattle barn in Michigan now stands empty, a stark reminder of the contamination crisis that is affecting farmers and their livelihoods across the nation.