Chemicals found in sewage sludge that some farmers use to fertilize fields and pastures can pose a threat to human and animal health, the US Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.

EPA warns that ‘forever chemicals’ in fertilizer could pose health risks. In a study published Tuesday, the EPA acknowledged that PFAS in sludge used as fertilizer can taint crops, water and soil.

In northeast Illinois, more than 777,000 tons of sludge from Chicago and Cook County have been spread on farmland — in many cases near residential areas.

This sludge -- which is sometimes applied to farmland as fertilizer -- can contain high levels of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, the EPA concluded in its review.

For years a textile mill gave farmers its sewage sludge as free fertilizer. Today the land is full of “forever chemicals.” Climate | Sludge Contaminated 10,000 Acres of Farmland.

But when PFAS turns up in sludge used as fertilizer, it can become a problem. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been linked to developmental delays in children, reproductive ...

In a final move, the Williamstown select board chose to not recommend the water rate plan that would rely on sludge processing on the town meeting warrant in a 2-3 decision. Tags.