Polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) are also known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down naturally. They can cause cancer, thyroid disorders, liver problems…
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Toxic chemical contamination across the state has disrupted the operations of about 10 farms in Maine (USA), such as Songbird Farm in Unity, owned by Johanna Davis and Adam Nordell. Photo: Guardian.
Toxic chemical contamination across the state has disrupted the operations of about 10 farms in Maine (USA), such as Songbird Farm in Unity, owned by Johanna Davis and Adam Nordell. Photo: Guardian.
Dozens of industries use PFAS in thousands of consumer products, and often dump the chemicals into the nation’s sewer system, potentially contaminating it.
Songbird Farms, a 7-hectare farm that produces organic tomatoes, sweet garlic, cantaloupe and other produce, was fine until disaster struck in December.
The current farm owners learned that the previous owner had been using PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge, or “biosolids,” as fertilizer on Songbird’s fields for decades. Testing showed that soil, drinking water, irrigation water, crops, chicken blood, and their own blood were all contaminated with high levels of the toxic chemicals.
The couple quickly recalled the product, notified customers, suspended operations, and are now fearful for their financial and physical well-being.
“This has turned everything in our lives upside down,” said Nordell, the current owner of Songbird. “We haven’t had our kids blood tested yet, and that’s the scariest part. It’s horrible.”
Public health advocates say Songbird is just the tip of the iceberg as Maine faces a brewing crisis stemming from the use of biosolids as fertilizer. The state has begun investigating more than 700 farms for PFAS contamination. Results are not yet available, but independent testing by some farmers has found high levels of PFAS, and contamination across the state has disrupted operations on about 10 farms.
Farmers who spoke to the Guardian said other growers have admitted to hiding PFAS contamination for fear of economic ruin.
Maine is hardly alone. Experts say they are finding more contamination as more testing is conducted. All sewage sludge contains some level of PFAS, and farms across the country have increasingly used it as fertilizer in recent decades. Michigan, one of the only other states that tracks biosolids and experimental farm products, recently found PFAS-tainted beef.
Maine’s ongoing crisis is prompting renewed calls for a PFAS ban. In July, the state became the first in the world to pass a near-total ban on PFAS. In addition, a proposal to ban untested biofluids for PFAS is moving through the Maine legislature.
Meanwhile, struggling farmers are demanding an aid package that includes immediate emergency relief funds, funding to help them transition to a new source of income, and lifelong health monitoring.
“Everything is at stake”
Nordell and Davis bought Songbird in 2014 from a man who had been on the land for about 25 years but was dying of pancreatic cancer and wanted to ensure the farm he built would survive.
Left: Testing at Songbird Farm shows widespread contamination. Right: Johanna Davis stands with her husband Adam Nordell. Photo: Guardian.
Left: Testing at Songbird Farm shows widespread contamination. Right: Johanna Davis stands with her husband Adam Nordell. Photo: Guardian.
Nordell said the man suspected his cancer stemmed from his time as a graduate student testing pesticides, and the Maine Environmental Protection Agency told Nordell that pancreatic cancer was not linked to PFAS. Although studies have found a link between PFAS and pancreatic cancer.
Additionally, PFAS can spread. Ironwood Farm, about 4 miles from Songbird, tested its water and found high levels of PFAS suspected of being contaminated by a neighbor’s muddy field. The small farm recalled its products, halted operations, and is anxiously awaiting more test results.
While Maine’s Department of Agriculture has set standards for beef and milk, it monitors only one of thousands of PFAS. Public health advocates say the limits should be lower and more PFAS compounds tested.
After Stoneridge Farm, a small dairy more than 100 miles south of Songbird, discovered in 2016 that sludge and paper mill waste used as fertilizer may have contaminated its cows and milk, the state set limits for two PFAS in its sludge. Subsequent testing showed about 95 percent of Maine’s sludge exceeded the limits.
Industry Opposition
As the ban on fecal sludge looms, Maine’s largest waste management company, Casella Waste Systems, and several wastewater treatment facilities have responded by saying the state doesn’t have enough space in its landfills to hold more sludge and that the ban would increase the risk of mixing drinking water and sewage.
The state’s environmental regulator told the legislature that the substance currently accounts for about 9 percent of the state’s landfills, and that number would increase to about 12 percent under the new rules.
Senator Brenner believes Casella Brenif’s opposition is profit-driven, given that the company has a large composting operation.
Joe Fusco, Casella’s vice president, said the issue is how to get PFAS out of the waste system, not just hostility toward Casella.
Meanwhile, farmers are struggling. Stoneridge killed most of its cattle in 2019. Co-owner Fred Stone was denied federal aid for his tainted milk because one of the farm’s milk tests fell below state limits, but Stone doesn’t feel comfortable selling the tainted milk.
Left: Corn waste at Songbird Farm. Right: Milk waste at Stoneridge Farm. Photo: Guardian.
Now, his family of four believes PFAS is behind their health problems ranging from thyroid disease to fertility issues. Stone says he can hardly continue to sell contaminated food: “This is the price of knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing.”
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