PFAS in Fertilizer Used on US Farms Could Cause Cancer
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/6/2026
The fertilizer spread on US farmland contains PFAS. It gets into the soil, into the crops, and into the food you eat. And it could be causing cancer.
What the Study Found
A 2026 study found that PFAS in biosolids (treated sewage sludge) used as fertilizer in the US food supply could pose cancer risk. Biosolids are widely used as cheap fertilizer on agricultural land. They contain PFAS that accumulated from household and industrial waste.
The PFAS in biosolids transfers to soil, then to crops, then to your plate. It's a contamination pipeline from your toilet to your table.
What You Can Do
Buy organic when possible (organic farms don't use biosolids). Support legislation to ban PFAS in biosolids. Filter your water. The food supply contamination is systemic, but your personal choices still matter.
Check out our non-toxic kitchen alternatives for cleaner food options.
Also see glass food containers for safer alternatives.