Biosolids are treated waste solids generated from sewage sludge that have been processed so that they can be applied to land as a fertilizer. Advocates of biosolid use point to its ability to enrich soil without the use of...more
Contaminants Compass is a monthly newsletter that provides updates, legal observations and actionable tips to navigate the evolving legal challenges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and similar chemicals and...more
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (“NCDEQ”) has released data from a preliminary study of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in biosolids and wastewater. NCDEQ states that the study is the...more
Anyone who has driven through New York’s abundant agricultural regions is aware of the agricultural practice of manure spreading. Done responsibly, it fertilizes the soil and enhances the productivity of farm fields....more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2025 Draft Risk Assessment for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in biosolids, identifying potential human health risks under...more
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYDEC”) issued a document titled: DMM- Draft 7A / Biosolids Recycling in New York State - Interim Strategy to Address PFAS in Biosolids Products (“Interim...more
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) issued on December 11, 2025, a suite of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) response actions and resources intended to protect communities. The...more
The United States District for the District of Columbia (“Court”) addressed in a September 29th Memorandum Opinion and Order (“Memorandum”) an action against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and...more
This article presents an overview of the comments on EPA’s first risk assessment regarding PFAS in biosolids, including a summary of over 100 major comments, and a link to EPA’s full comment docket....more
A federal district court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by farmers, environmental groups and local governments against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to the opinion issued by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich...more
The dismissal of a lawsuit challenging "climate neutral" labeling claims, a European ban on "meat" names for plant-based foods, a letter urging FDA to allow states authority to regulate food safety, and more....more
Litigation surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” seems to be as ubiquitous as PFAS allegedly is. Days ago, on Sept. 29, the United States District Court for the...more
The Washington Department of Ecology (“WDE”) released a September 2025 document titled: Assessment of PFAS Levels in Washington State Biosolids (“Assessment”). ...more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) January 2025 draft risk assessment on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids has sparked significant concern across the agricultural sector. The EPA’s modeling...more
On September 29, 2025, the US District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit brought by Texas farmers, multi-state environmental organizations, and Johnson County, Texas that alleged the United States...more
The presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in biosolids is drawing increased attention nationwide, and in particular across the agricultural sector. Biosolids—nutrient-rich byproducts of wastewater...more
It has now been over a year since PFOA and PFOS – two types of PFAS – were designated as hazardous substances under CERCLA, the federal Superfund law. Among the consequences of these designations was that PFOA and PFOS...more
The public comment period recently closed on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) January 2025 draft assessment evaluating potential human health and environmental risks associated with the disposal and land application...more
The State of Washington enacted legislation (Senate Bill 5033) mandating certain testing requirements for biosolids utilized in agriculture. The testing requirements addresses per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”)....more
Washington state has joined the growing list of states addressing the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in biosolids that are widely used in farming. With Governor...more
Update: EPA will now accept public comments on its Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluoroctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) until August 15, 2025. Interested parties may submit comments at...more
A recent lawsuit against Synagro Technologies, Inc. raises important questions about the role of biosolids in PFAS contamination and the legal responsibilities of manufacturers. The case, Farmer v. Synagro Tech., Inc., No....more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has extended the public comment period for the Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) (“Draft...more
The regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remains a critical issue in US environmental policy, with significant implications for water quality, biosolids management and state-level regulatory authority. On...more