EPA Studies Toxic Chemicals in Poop Fertilizer Spread on Farms
Published Date: 1/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The EPA just dropped a draft report about the risks of two chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, found in sewage sludge used on farms and forests. This affects farmers, nearby communities, and anyone who eats local food or drinks local water. You’ve got until March 17, 2025, to share your thoughts before the EPA decides on possible new rules that could change how sludge is handled—and maybe impact costs down the road.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Land‑applied sludge can exceed safety thresholds
The EPA's draft risk assessment found that when sewage sludge contains 1 part per billion (ppb) of PFOA or PFOS, some land‑application scenarios (for farms or reclamation) produce modeled human health risks above the agency's acceptable thresholds. The draft shows examples where modeled cancer risks from drinking contaminated milk can exceed 1 in 1,000 and non‑cancer hazard quotients (HQs) for eating fish can reach up to 45 under the modeled conditions.
Surface disposal can contaminate drinking water
The EPA modeled drinking‑water risks near surface disposal sites and found exceedances for unlined and clay‑lined sites. For unlined sites, risks exceeded EPA thresholds when sewage sludge contained 1 ppb of PFOA (cancer risk >1 in 1,000 and HQs up to 12); for clay‑lined sites similar exceedances occurred and HQs were up to 9. Composite‑lined sites did not show exceedances in the draft modeling.
Common application rates produced risk exceedances
The draft assessment modeled a single application at 50 dry metric tons (dmt) per hectare (reclamation scenario) and 40 annual applications at 10 dmt per hectare (median U.S. application rate for pasture and food crop scenarios) with sludge at 1 ppb of PFOA/PFOS, and found those modeled scenarios produced risk exceedances for multiple exposure pathways (drinking water, milk, beef, eggs, some fruits and vegetables).
Monitoring and pretreatment can cut sludge PFAS by 98%
The EPA recommends that states, Tribes, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) monitor sewage sludge for PFAS, identify industrial discharges, and implement industrial pretreatment requirements where appropriate. The notice says some state programs achieved a 98 percent reduction in PFOS concentrations in sewage sludge through pretreatment.
EPA may propose rules and studies to limit PFAS
After considering public comments, the EPA says it will finalize the risk assessment and, if risks above acceptable thresholds are indicated, expects to propose a regulation under Clean Water Act section 405 to manage PFOA and/or PFOS in sewage sludge. The EPA also plans a new National Sewage Sludge Survey and a POTW Influent PFAS Study and is evaluating revisions to Effluent Limitations Guidelines for Organic Chemicals, Metal Finishing, and Landfills.
Incineration risks are uncertain and not quantified
The draft assessment did not provide quantitative risk estimates for sewage sludge incineration because of data gaps about how well incinerators destroy PFOA and PFOS and the health effects of products of incomplete combustion. The EPA notes incinerators may not reach temperatures and residence times needed to fully destroy these chemicals.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20724, Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Sentinel Deployment and Minuteman III Decommissioning and Disposal
The Air Force is updating its plan to replace old Minuteman III missiles with new Sentinel missiles across five states, including Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. They’re checking how these changes might affect the environment and want your thoughts during a 30-day comment period starting now. This update could impact local lands and communities, with careful reviews to keep things safe and smart.
2026-20771, Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review at the NIH is holding several closed virtual meetings in early November 2026 to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets, affecting researchers seeking funding. No direct money changes are announced, but these reviews decide who gets research grants.
2026-20708, Self-Regulatory Organizations; Investors Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Pursuant to IEX Rule 15.110(a) and (c) To Amend the IEX Equities Fee Schedule
IEX is shaking up its fee schedule starting November 1, 2026, by tweaking who gets rebates for adding displayed liquidity and changing rebate amounts. This affects IEX members who trade stocks, giving them new ways to save or earn more on fees. The changes kick in right away after filing, so traders should get ready to adjust their strategies and cash flow.
2026-20710, Self-Regulatory Organizations; Investors Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Pursuant to IEX Rule 15.110(a) and (c) To Modify the Required Criteria To Qualify for the Reduced Incremental Fee
Investors Exchange (IEX) is changing the rules for who can get a discount on certain trading fees. Starting November 1, 2026, members will need to meet new criteria to qualify for the reduced incremental fee, which could save or cost them money depending on their trading activity. This change affects all IEX members and kicks in right away to keep things fair and clear.
2026-20779, Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From Thailand: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that tires from Thailand were sold in the U.S. for less than their normal price between July 2024 and June 2025. This means some importers might have to pay extra duties to keep things fair. The review process had some delays due to government shutdowns, but now the preliminary results are out and open for comments.
2026-20763, National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures: Wintertime Oil and Gas Exploration in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Categorical Exclusion
Starting October 9, 2026, the Department of the Interior is making it easier and faster to approve wintertime oil and gas exploration in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve by adding a special rule that skips some usual paperwork. This change mainly affects energy companies working in the area and aims to speed up projects while still protecting the environment. No new costs are expected, but the process will be smoother and quicker.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-00733, Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Vineyard Mid-Atlantic Project on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Offshore New York
The government is getting ready to study the environmental effects of a big offshore wind farm planned about 24 miles off Fire Island, New York. Vineyard Mid-Atlantic wants to build and run this clean energy project on a huge ocean area, which could bring new jobs and green power but also needs careful review. People have until March 3, 2025, to share their thoughts, and there will be free online meetings in February to learn more and join the conversation.
Next: 2025-00738, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Notice of Closed Meetings
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is holding two secret virtual meetings in early 2025 to review important grant and cooperative agreement applications. These closed meetings protect private info and trade secrets while deciding who gets funding to advance brain and nerve research. If you’re involved in neurological research funding, mark your calendar for February 6-7 and March 6—big decisions and money are on the line!