Urgent Call: Test Florida Biosolids for Toxic PFAS Contamination Now!

Broward County, Florida, United States - As conversations around environmental safety gain momentum, fresh concerns have emerged regarding the contamination of Florida’s waterways. Recent insights from the St. Johns Riverkeeper shed light on a troubling issue that links the use of biosolids—solid byproducts from wastewater treatment—with PFAS, known colloquially as „forever chemicals“ due to their persistent nature in the environment. The St. Johns Riverkeeper is calling for stringent testing requirements for these biosolids amid alarming national findings.

A report put together by the Waterkeepers Alliance revealed that PFAS contamination was detected in astonishing rates, with 98% of tested U.S. waterways across 19 states showing signs of pollution. In Florida, approximately 80% of sites downstream from biosolids application areas were impacted. This follows a concerning trend of elevated PFAS levels found in 95% of sampling sites adjacent to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as reported by the Waterkeeper Alliance.

The State of Biosolids in Florida

Biosolids are often applied as fertilizer, and let’s face it, they do a good deal for promoting agricultural growth. However, Florida produces around 340,000 dry tons of these byproducts annually, much of which is utilized in counties like Osceola and Brevard, where the application occurs near the sensitive headwaters of the St. Johns River. From 2019 to 2021, Osceola County alone applied more than 61,000 dry tons of biosolids each year, making it a critical player in the state’s biosolid application story.

The current regulations in Florida, however, do not mandate the testing of these biosolids for PFAS before they’re spread on land, raising eyebrows among environmental advocates. As phosphorus and nitrogen pollution are already pressing issues, the addition of PFAS contamination deepens the challenge to maintain water quality in the area. The EPA has been on this case since as long ago as the 2003, yet there are still no federal limits governing PFAS in biosolids.

What’s the Big Deal with PFAS?

Pervasive in everyday products, PFAS have been around since the 1940s, showing up in items we use regularly—from non-stick cookware to water-resistant finishes in our homes. The concerns arise primarily from their resilience; they don’t break down easily, which means they can accumulate in our environment and bodies over time. According to the EPA’s ongoing research, these substances are released into wastewater through a variety of channels, including industrial and household discharges, leading to their presence in biosolids.

The recent analysis indicates that unregulated compounds like PFPeA and PFHxA, often present in these biosolids, may significantly elevate PFAS levels downstream from treatment facilities. This is troubling not just for the ecosystem but for public health as well, especially as some sites recorded staggering increases in PFAS concentrations, such as nearly a 3,000% spike noted at one WWTP site.

Road Ahead: Calls for Action

As public awareness rises, advocates stress the need for urgent action from federal regulators. The Waterkeeper Alliance particularly emphasizes the call for establishing enforceable federal standards for PFAS in drinking water and aquatic environments. Specific proposals have surfaced, including prohibiting the land application of PFAS-contaminated biosolids and prioritizing funding to tackle these issues, especially in communities that are disproportionately affected.

Looking ahead, it’s clear that the echoes of these findings could lead to a substantial shift in environmental policy not just in Florida, but potentially across the entire country. As advocates serve as watchdogs for our waterways, they push for accountability from the EPA and lawmakers to ensure the health of communities remains a priority in the face of pollution.