South Carolina is seeking Superfund status for farmland contaminated with PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals, often called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily, were found in high concentrations in the soil after years of the land being treated with sewage sludge from a local textile mill. The mill provided the sludge to farmers as a free fertilizer.
Now, state officials are concerned about the extent of the PFAS contamination and the potential risks to public health and the environment. Superfund status would allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to step in and provide resources for a comprehensive cleanup of the affected area.
The discovery highlights the potential dangers of using sewage sludge as fertilizer, especially when industrial waste is mixed in. While sludge can provide valuable nutrients for crops, it can also contain harmful contaminants that can persist in the environment for decades. Further testing and remediation efforts are planned to address the PFAS contamination in South Carolina.
South Carolina Farmland Contaminated by PFAS Proposed for Superfund Status
Farmland in South Carolina, once treated with sewage sludge from a textile mill as free fertilizer, is now heavily contaminated with PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." State officials are pushing for the site to be designated a Superfund site, a move that would unlock federal funding for cleanup efforts. The contamination raises concerns about the safety of the soil and potential health risks for the local community. The long-term impact of these chemicals on the environment and human health is still being investigated.