Joint Principles for Preventing and Managing PFAS in Biosolids
Everyone deserves clean water to drink, and to live on land that is safe from pollution. The latest science is clear: long-term exposure to PFAS is linked to significant health risks, and PFAS can enter our water and land through several different paths. That’s why the EPA is taking more, coordinated action than ever before to address the health risks posed by PFAS contamination and reduce people’s exposure to these chemicals. Because of their widespread use by households and industry, PFAS can end up in biosolids – the byproducts of the wastewater treatment process. EPA, other federal agencies, states, and other partners are working to advance the research and policy tools needed to better understand the risks of PFAS in biosolids, and how to address them.
The EPA’s Office of Water, the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) have jointly developed Principles for Preventing and Managing PFAS in Biosolids. These Principles recognize the unique challenges and uncertainties presented by the presence of PFAS in biosolids. They highlight the importance of collaboration among state and federal environmental and agricultural agencies as the science and policy landscape continues to evolve. The EPA is committed to working with its federal, state, and other partners to continue to prioritize protecting public health, support our nation’s farmers, and work to ensure the availability of appropriate methods to manage biosolids.