For years, farmers have used a fertilizer that was advertised as environmental friendly and safe. Now, it’s causing devastation. Some ranchers are seeing their livestock die, their land made poisonous and their businesses are dissolving. What could be the cause?
What’s Happening?
Fertilizer produced from treated municipal wastewater leftovers, known as biosolids, have been found to contain PFAS, toxic ‘forever chemicals’ that never break down. The chemicals are absorbed into the soil and water, which in turn, poison livestock and make the land unworkable. What was supposed to be a cost effective fertilizer has now become a farmer killer.
Meet the Victims
Rancher Tony Coleman from Grandview, Texas, shares his story, “This is killing us. Each day, I have no idea what I am going to find – another dead animal, another loss.” He is one of the many ranchers who are facing financial and emotional strain due to PFAS pollution.
The Science Behind PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made substances employed in manufacturing of non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. They are present in the environment and therefore find their way into the food chain and water supplies. Effects of exposure include cancer, liver damage and immune system complications.
How Did This Happen?
Biosolid fertilizers; made from treated sewage sludge, were advertised as a way of optimizing the usage of waste. However, they were not tested for PFAS. Such fertilizers were applied to agricultural land for many years and every application only added more contamination.
The Deadly Chain Reaction
When it rains in Johnson County in Texas, the PFAS fertilizers are washed into water systems. Cattle drink the water and die at a shocking rate. Analysis showed that 27 types of PFAS chemicals were present in the soil and water, which was the nightmarish situation that ranchers had been dreading.
The Hidden Scope of Contamination
It is estimated that as many as 20 million acres of similar land in the United States has been fertilized with biosolid products. This means that many other ranches across the country are raising their livestock on land that has been contaminated, with serious repercussions for the nation’s food supply.
The Legal Battle Begins
In search of solutions, the impacted farmers have sued the fertilizer producers and the Environmental Protection Agency. Their aim: stricter rules, damages for losses, and an immediate response to stop the pollution.
State Responses to the Crisis
Some states have already taken action. Michigan has gone further and demands that biosolid fertilizers should be tested for PFAS. Maine and Connecticut have prohibited the use of biosolids on farmland. However, Texas has not established such regulations yet, thus leaving its farmers exposed.
What Experts Say
Dr. Ellen Mallory, a agriculture professor in Maine, highlights the need for regulation: “You cannot address PFAS contamination without standardization. The problem is that in states without regulations, farmers are left hanging: they don’t know whether the food they grow is safe or not.”
What You Can Do
It’s important for consumers to demand PFAS testing and regulations. You should report the issue to your state representatives and demand change. Also be sure to keep updated on the news. You can also reduce your exposure to PFAS by avoiding nonstick cookware, waterproofed fabrics, and some food packaging.
The Future of Farming
If nothing is done, the PFAS contamination will continue to escalate. Legal measures, better management of waste, and organic fertilizers are therefore important to shield farmers and the public. In the meantime, ranchers are battling for survival.
A Silent Threat to Ranchers
A fertilizer that was once regarded as harmless has become a silent killer. Ranchers are losing everything and the food supply is at risk. The battle against PFAS contamination is not only one that has to fought by farmers. The question is: Do we have time to act?
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