We’re Suing to Protect Farmers

Last Thursday, PEER filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of a group of ranchers and farmers in Texas whose livelihoods and health were ruined after biosolids contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from neighboring properties leached onto their land. 

Millions of tons of biosolids, or sewage sludge, are applied as fertilizers annually on farms in the U.S. Under the Clean Water Act, EPA is required to identify toxic pollutants in biosolids and adopt regulations to prevent harm to human health or the environment, something it has failed to do for toxic PFAS chemicals. 

In PEER’s discussions with EPA prior to filing our lawsuit, it became clear that the agency has no definitive timeline for regulatory action and that the scope of its current efforts would be inadequate. 

The plaintiffs in this case are just a few of the many farmers across the country grappling with agricultural contamination linked to EPA’s failure to regulate toxic chemicals in biosolids. 

This case is one of the most important we have ever undertaken. EPA must stop dithering and move quickly to protect America’s farmers and our food supply from these toxic chemicals. 

Regards,
Tim Whitehouse 

P.S. Take Action—Please sign our petition now urging EPA to take immediate action to protect farmers and our food supply from biosolids contaminated with PFAS. Your voice will help let EPA how important this issue is to all of us. Thanks!

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Please sign our petition now urging EPA to take immediate action to protect farmers and our food supply from biosolids contaminated with PFAS. Your voice will help let EPA how important this issue is to all of us. Read more>>

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