{"id":39958,"date":"2025-10-22T00:01:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T04:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=39958"},"modified":"2025-12-15T10:07:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T15:07:09","slug":"studies-confirm-contaminants-including-pfas-in-biosolids-sewage-sludge-subject-of-lawsuits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/10\/studies-confirm-contaminants-including-pfas-in-biosolids-sewage-sludge-subject-of-lawsuits\/","title":{"rendered":"Contaminants, Including PFAS, in Biosolids (Sewage Sludge) Fertilizer, Subject of Lawsuits"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

(Beyond Pesticide<\/em>s, October 22, 2025) The release of scientific studies on contaminants in sewage sludge (biosolids) used as fertilizers coincides with two lawsuits filed by Beyond Pesticides against ScottsMiracle-Gro<\/a> and GreenTechnologies, LLC<\/a>, in which the organization alleged that each defendant engaged in false and deceptive marketing and sale of fertilizer products that were marketed as environmentally friendly, despite containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). PFAS have been linked to cancer and other adverse effects. (See settlement statement<\/a> <\/strong>recently reached with ScottsMiracle-Gro.) Biosolids are widely used in agricultural production and nonagricultural land management, including parks and playing fields, but \u00a0prohibited from use in certified organic agriculture under the Organic Foods Production Act<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n

Two recent studies raise serious concerns about a range of contaminants in treated sewage sludge. While widely advanced as supplementing organic matter with macro- and micro-nutrients, treated sludge \u201charbor[s] a concentrated presence of contaminants that have adsorbed onto the soil post-wastewater treatment,\u201d according to a literature review published in Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry<\/em><\/a>. The researchers identify 414 contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in soils, untreated and treated sewage sludge (biosolids), and dust, across 151 peer-reviewed studies released between 2018 and 2023\u2014emphasizing the range of potential exposure pathways across various products, including classes of pesticides like neonicotinoid insecticides. In Scientific Reports<\/em><\/a>, researchers report their test results of biosolids-treated farmland in southeastern Pennsylvania that detected 14 different PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) above the limit of quantification (LOQ). This means that not only were they detectable, but also high enough in concentration to confirm contamination at a significant concentration.<\/p>\r\n

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that are extremely resistant to degradation, persist indefinitely in the environment, bioaccumulate in blood and body tissues, and can be harmful to humans and the environment, even at very low levels.<\/p>\r\n

Biosolids (Sewage Sludge) Lawsuits
\r\n<\/strong>Beyond Pesticides filed two consumer protection lawsuits in Washington, DC Superior Court in October, 2024, in which it alleges that both companies market their sewage sludge-containing fertilizer products \u201cas eco-friendly and\u00a0 \u201csustainable,\u201d when, in fact, the products contain hazardous substances. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Product, EcoScraps, was advertised as having a mission \u201cto make sustainable living easy.\u201d The Greentechnologies, LLC product, GreenEdge, is advertised as an \u201ceco-Friendly products for a healthier planet,\u201d and a \u201csustainable fertilizer that enhances environmental quality.\u201d Beyond Pesticides alleged in the lawsuits that reasonable consumers encountering representations emphasizing that these products are \u201ceco-friendly\u201d and \u201csustainable\u201d do not expect the products to contain environmentally damaging, unsustainable chemicals.\u201d The complaint cites test results showing PFAS residues in the companies\u2019 products and numerous scientific studies on the adverse effects of PFAS to public health, wildlife, and pollinators.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cCompanies that market hazardous substances while claiming environmental and health benefits are misleading consumers who seek out products to protect themselves, their families, and the ecosystems in which they live,\u201d said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides. \u201cOur litigation seeks to put a stop to this deceptive practice in the marketplace, where there are products and practices that are truly healthful and protective of nature,\u201d Mr. Feldman continued. (The action was brought under the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act (\u201cCPPA\u201d), D.C. Code \u00a7\u00a7 28-3901\u201313. Beyond Pesticides was represented by Richman Law and Policy.<\/p>\r\n

Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Study Results
\r\n<\/strong>Despite these dramatic findings of contaminants, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the authors of the CEC review explain, classify the biosolids typically used by gardeners, municipalities, golf courses, and farmers as Class A, which are \u201cvirtually free of pathogens and can be applied without any site-specific restrictions.\u201d The authors explain that Class B biosolids, used in agriculture and land reclamation, may contain pathogens and stipulates restrictions on use<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The study authors conducted a literature search strategy using databases like Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. They utilized combinations of keywords including contaminants of emerging concern, biosolids, sewage sludge, soil, wastewater, pharmaceuticals, hormones, bisphenols, phthalates, parabens, neonicotinoids, etc.). They then screened and selected 151 articles to include studies reporting quantifiable data on CECs in sewage sludge or soils and relevant information on transport mechanisms or compound properties. The researchers included field and laboratory studies. CECs were grouped into several major categories, including pharmaceutical products, personal care products, hormones, plastic-related compounds, polymer additives and antioxidants, and insecticides (neonicotinoids).<\/p>\r\n

Once the studies were identified, researchers analyzed data on quantifiable concentrations of the listed CECs. They were summarized as median and mean values for each category in sewage sludge, biosolids (treated sewage sludge), and soils. The top fifty most prevalent compounds were identified by frequency and degree of concentration; the relative contribution of CEC by mass was also determined. Qualitative data on transport mechanisms like adsorption, leaching, degradation, and plant uptake was considered in their analysis as well. The researchers did note that there are knowledge gaps in their review, including the fact that various CECs fall below quantification levels in soil, metabolites have limited data, and the lack of standardized methods across the scientific literature.<\/p>\r\n

Phthalates (PAEs) dominated the bulk of CECs, representing more than 97 percent of the total mass of CECs in sewage sludge and biosolids. Phthalates are hydrophobic compounds that lend themselves to strong retention in sewage sludge or soil. Meanwhile, conventional wastewater treatment processes only partially remove CECs, with many portioned into both treated and untreated sludge.<\/p>\r\n

This literature review finds that neonicotinoid insecticides are also detectable in biosolids, sewage sludge, and soils across the globe, including China, Belize, and the Philippines (see subsection 8.3 for specific citations), indicating widespread environmental contamination even at low concentrations. The authors attribute the high-water solubility of neonicotinoids as a major contributor to its widespread runoff and leachability. Matched with poor plant absorption, the continuous use of neonicotinoids can lead to persistent residues in the soil.<\/p>\r\n

This CEC study was published by researchers in the Department of Chemistry at Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al. The lead scholar is S\u00e9bastien Sauv\u00e9, PhD,<\/a> professor of Environmental Chemistry with expertise in environmental analysis of CECs, including pesticides and PFAS. The authors declared that there were no competing commercial or financial conflicts of interest in conducting this study; they also \u201cdeclare that no Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.\u201d The research was funded in part by Ministry of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) of Quebec (Canada).<\/p>\r\n

PFAS, known as \u201cforever chemicals\u201d due to their ability to persist in the environment, are endocrine disruptors linked to developmental issues, cancers, metabolic, cardiovascular and reproductive harm, damage to the liver, kidneys, and the respiratory system, as well increased chances of disease infection and severity. The chemicals\u2019 immunotoxic effects threaten human health.<\/p>\r\n

PFAS in Farmland Soil<\/strong>
\r\nBiosolids contaminated with PFAS have become an increasingly prevalent issue for farmers grappling with reliance on synthetic inputs. This study was conducted by researchers at Stroud Water Research Center<\/a> and Center for PFAS Solutions,<\/a> independent nonprofit research organizations based in Pennsylvania and Delaware, respectively. The study focused on 10 farms in southern and central Pennsylvania (Berks, Lancaster, Bedford, and Chester counties). The field design included pairings of treated and control fields (history of biosolid treatment and no biosolid treatment), with all fields no-till or reduced-till in terms of cultural practices. For treated fields, most had been covered with biosolids between two to 26 years, with some farms not keeping historical records. Six farms used biosolids from private applicators while four sourced from municipal sewage treatment facilities, which will often distribute the biosolids as \u201cfertilizer\u201d or \u201ccompost\u201d free of charge. Biosolids can also be purchased from commercial companies at local nurseries or hardware stores under different trade names with environmental claims.<\/p>\r\n

PFAS is conventionally known as a legacy contaminant in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, and other commercial and consumer products; however, there is less public awareness on the dangers of PFAS and agrichemical products (i.e., pesticides) that share its fluorinated chemistry. Concern among safety advocates continues to mount this year as EPA escalated registration approvals for four new active ingredients \u2013 Cyclobutrifluram<\/a>, Diflufenican<\/a>, Isocycloseram<\/a>, and Trifludimoxazin<\/a> \u2013 that \u201cqualify as PFAS.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

The researchers collected ten soil samples (called \u201ccores\u201d) from each field. Biosolids were collected from storage piles at Farms #2 and #10 and stream water (duplicate samples) were collected downstream of treated fields. Cornell Soil Health Laboratory tested the soil chemistry for a standard analysis for nutrients, pH, organic matter, organic carbon, total carbon, and total nitrogen.<\/p>\r\n

The researchers used \u201cUSEPA Method 1633\u201d to target 40 PFAS, including:<\/p>\r\n