Maine plans removal of PFAS from sewage sludge used as fertilizer

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’, concentrated in sludge, are extremely difficult to dispose of safely and also poison farmland

Utility officials in Maine and elsewhere around the country are developing first-of-their-kind plans to eliminate toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” from sewage sludge spread as fertilizer on farmland.

Success would address a growing agricultural crisis and reshape how the nation handles its waste – the dangerous chemicals are thought to be contaminating all sludge at high levels, and poisoning food and water on around 20m acres (8m hectares) of farmland across the US.