Save America’s Farms from Toxic Contamination

Sign This Petition

Not in the US?

Would you like to opt-in to receive PEER's bi-weekly e-newsletter PEERMail? Yes, I want to opt-in to updates. No, I do not opt in.
- You may receive email updates from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), the sponsor of this petition.
- Edit Subscription Preferences Close Preferences
- - Opt in to email updates from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)

Flag As Spam

Save America’s Farms from Toxic Contamination

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan

See the Petition Below...

Background on the Issue

Every year, millions of tons of biosolids are applied to land as fertilizer on farms. Biosolids are made from both municipal and industrial waste. Although treated to remove pathogens, this biosolid sewage sludge contains dangerous levels of PFAS.

PFAS, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and they bio-magnify in the food chain. When biosolids containing PFAS are applied on, these dangerous chemicals leach into soil and ground water, and are then taken up by plants, which are then consumed by humans, livestock, and wildlife.

Under the Clean Water Act, EPA is supposed to ensure the safety of biosolid fertilizers, yet the agency has not used this authority for decades. It is high time EPA acted.

Please sign the letter below urging EPA Administrator Michael Regan to act now to protect American farmers and consumers from toxic PFAS in biosolids.

Sponsored by

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)

Silver Spring, MD

To: EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan
From: [Your Name]

I am writing to let you know that I support the lawsuit filed by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of farmers and ranchers in Johnson County, Texas.

The livelihoods and health of the farmer and rancher plaintiffs, James Farmer, Robin Alessi, Patsy Schultz, Karen Coleman, and Tony Coleman, were ruined after PFAS-laden biosolids used as fertilizers on neighboring properties leached onto their land.
EPA should never have let this happen. The Clean Water Act requires EPA to set standards for toxic substances in biosolids, but EPA has failed to set standards for PFAS, despite knowing about the dangers to farmers and consumers throughout the United States.

Administrator Regan, we need your leadership now. We are asking you to help save American farms from being contaminated with toxic PFAS by immediately agreeing to set strict standards that keep toxic PFAS out of biosolids.