Are PFAS in treated sewage spread on farms getting into our food?
Yes. Peer-reviewed research confirms that PFAS from treated sewage, known as biosolids, move from agricultural soil into the food chain and pose significant health risks.
What's actually in it
Treated sewage, often called biosolids, is frequently spread on farmland as fertilizer. These materials contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are man-made chemicals that do not break down in the environment. These chemicals act as contaminants that move from the soil into the crops and livestock that eventually end up on your dinner plate.
Once these chemicals are in the soil, they don't just stay there. They act as vectors, meaning they travel through the environment and enter the food chain. This creates a direct path for these harmful substances to reach your kitchen.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Lancet Oncol reports that the presence of PFAS in biosolids used in the US food supply could pose a serious cancer risk. The science is clear that these chemicals are not staying contained in the waste management system.
Furthermore, a 2026 study in J Hazard Mater confirms that microplastics and other materials act as carriers for PFAS, transporting them from agricultural soils directly into the food chain. This peer-reviewed research highlights that the pathways for these chemicals to contaminate our food are active and ongoing.
The research at a glance
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