EPA moves to cut risks from PFAS in fertilizer, pans Biden-era analysis

July 7, 2026

Read the full article by Bec Roldan (C&EN)

"The US Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced it is releasing draft guidance (PDF) for wastewater treatment plants, farmers, and water agencies to mitigate risks from perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in sewage-sludge fertilizer, known in the industry as biosolids.

“This draft guidance will provide Americans with commonsense recommendations that can protect public health, while also supporting wastewater systems and beneficial use of biosolids when appropriate,” EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Water Jessica Kramer says in a press release. Biosolids are treated, semisolid, nutrient-dense organic materials that result from the separation of liquid and solid waste during the wastewater treatment process. Nearly 60% of biosolids in the US are applied to land as fertilizer, while the rest are either stored in landfills or incinerated, according to the EPA. Because of concerns that biosolids may spread per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to crops and groundwater, several states have introduced regulations to reduce PFAS in biosolids. Maine and Connecticut passed total bans on spreading biosolids on land in 2022 (PDF) and 2024 (PDF), respectively."