Perflourochemical Contamination of Biosolids Near Decatur, Alabama

EPA is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), State of Alabama, Decatur Utilities Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Decatur Utilities) and local industries to address elevated levels of perflourochemicals found in treated sewage sludge (biosolids) in Decatur, Alabama. For approximately the past twelve (12) years, these biosolids were used as a soil amendment on about 5000 acres of privately owned agricultural fields (see map) in Lawrence, Morgan and Limestone Counties. A public meeting (PDF, 1 p, 26K) was held in Moulton, Alabama on June 2, 2009, to explain the coordinated federal, state, and local activities and to respond to questions from residents in the community.

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EPA Sampling Activities

Decatur Utilities receives wasterwater from numerous industrial sources, including facilities that manufacture and use perflouorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesultfonic acid (PFOS) and other perfluorinated chemicals

In September 2007, EPA Region 4 conducted a small scale reconnaissance study and collected a very small number of biosolids and soil samples where biosolids were applied near Decatur Alabama. The memorandum (PDF, 2 pp, 1.6M) introducing results from this limited testing (PDF, 32 pp, 1.42M) indicated elevated levels of perfluorinated compounds in the biosolids and the soil that received the biosolids.
As a result, EPA Region 4 conducted sampling of the public drinking water systems in the area. The water sample analyses summary report (PDF, 4 pp, 812K) indicates the levels of PFOA and PFOS in community water systems are below the drinking water provisional health advisory released by EPA in early January 2009.
In addition, EPA Region 4 and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) conducted a screening survey to locate ground water wells in areas near the biosolids application sites.
During February 2009, EPA collected and analyzed a total of 51 water samples from drinking water wells, several agricultural wells, and farm ponds in the area. The final report provides results of the analyses of well water samples indicate the following:

Two of the six drinking water wells sampled had PFOA levels above EPA's provisional health advisory (PDF, 5 pp,289K) and none had levels above the PFOS provisional health advisory levels.
The two residences with elevated PFOA levels were provided bottled water and connected to the public water supply system.
Additionally, the remaining four residential drinking water well owners, which do not have elevated PFOA levels, were also afforded the opportunity to connect to the public water system. Two of the residents decided to connect to the local public water supply system. Two residents chose to continue using well water.

The final surface water sampling results (PDF, 51 p, 5.37M) from 13 agricultural wells sampled and 32 farm ponds showed a range of levels for PFOA and PFOS. EPA has not yet established PFOA and/or PFOS provisional health advisory values for water that is used for purposes other than human consumption. Therefore, it is not appropriate to compare the drinking water provisional health advisory levels to the final analytic water sample results from these sources.
In March 2009, EPA also collected thirty additional soil samples from farm fields that received the highest application of biosolids. The final surface soil sample results indicated elevated levels of perfluoronated compounds in the soil that received the biosolids.

Sampling Results

Future Activities

EPA Region 4 is working collaboratively with the federal, state, and local agencies to understand the extent of PFC contamination from biosolids applied near Decatur, Alabama, the potential routes of exposure, and any potential health effects of area residents.

The USDA expects results of meat, organ, and blood samples from nine cattle collected from the area farms to be available in the fall of 2009. The FDA expects results of milk samples from one dairy cow collected from the only dairy farm in the area to be available in the fall of 2009.

Decatur Utilities and other contributing industries located in the area have formed a consortium to work with the federal and state partners on the investigation of the PFC contamination near Decatur, Alabama. These contributing parties are currently conducting a more extensive drinking well survey and smapling event for areas near the biosolids application fields. These sample results should be available fall of 2009.

The federal, state, and local agencies intend to hold another public meeting in Moulton, AL in the fall of 2009 to provide an update on the ongoing studies.

Background Information

Soil Contamination in Decatur, AL Statement and Background Prepared by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (June 16, 2009) (PDF, 3pp, 99.4K)
U.S. Environmental Proection Agency Fact Sheet: Land Application of Perfluorochemical (PFC) Contaminated Biosolids Near Decatur, Alabama (June 2009) (PDF, 4pp, 66K)
Q&A's - Soil Contamination in Decatur, AL Prepared by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (June 16, 2009) (PDF, 13pp, 90.7K)
Information on PFOA and other PFCs is available at the EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/index.html
Information on the EPA’s biosolids regulations and other associated publications: http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/index.htm#guidance

For information about the contents of this page please contact
Connie Roberts (roberts.connie@epa.gov)

Perflourochemical Contamination of Biosolids Near Decatur, Alabama

EPA Sampling Activities

Sampling Results

Future Activities

Background Information

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