The Hidden Costs of "Green" Fertilizers: Texas Farmers Grapple with PFAS Contamination

The Hidden Costs of "Green" Fertilizers: Texas Farmers Grapple with PFAS Contamination

For decades, biosolid-based fertilizers—marketed as environmentally friendly solutions—have been promoted to farmers as a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. However, the unfolding tragedy in Johnson County, Texas, reveals a darker side to this narrative: the contamination of farmland with toxic “forever chemicals,” or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which have wreaked havoc on the environment, livestock, and human health.

Tony Coleman, a rancher from Grandview, Texas, witnessed the loss of over 35 cattle from his 150-strong herd. Calves perished within days of birth, and adult cattle developed symptoms like excessive drooling, lameness, and blindness before succumbing to death (Texas Tribune). Similarly, his neighbor, James Farmer, has lost calves and horses, with bodies left in the field for scavengers before they could be sent for laboratory testing.

Their heartbreak began after a neighboring farm applied biosolid-based fertilizer sourced from municipal sewage to its fields. Heavy rains carried the tainted runoff onto Coleman and Farmer's properties, contaminating their soil, water, and livestock feed.

Months of investigation revealed the culprit: the biosolid fertilizer contained PFAS—persistent, synthetic chemicals that resist breakdown in the environment and accumulate in living organisms over time (U.S. EPA).

PFAS are used in thousands of everyday products, from nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing to food packaging and cosmetics (CDC). Despite their utility, these chemicals pose significant health risks, including cancer, liver damage, immune suppression, low birth weights, and reproductive harm (NIH). Alarmingly, studies have found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans (Environmental Working Group).

When PFAS enter wastewater systems, they contaminate the sewage solids that are processed into biosolid fertilizers. Farmers, often unaware of the risks, spread these fertilizers on their fields, introducing the toxins into the soil and water, where they leach into crops and livestock feed. The impact is devastating, as seen in Johnson County (Texas Tribune).

Moreover, PFAS exposure has far-reaching implications beyond agriculture. Research shows that exposure during pregnancy poses significant risks to both maternal and fetal health, including potential impacts on fetal development and long-term health outcomes (NIH). By prioritizing products like PureFertility, which are rigorously tested and free from harmful contaminants, we can help mitigate these risks and promote healthier outcomes for mothers, babies, and future generations.

PureFertility by PFAS Guard is a PFAS cleanse for fertility support. If you have concerns about your PFAS exposure, take a look at PureFertility today!

Martinez, A. (2024, December 2). Texas farmers wrestle with ‘forever chemicals’ in biosolids used as fertilizer. The Texas Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/texas-farmers-pfas-forever-chemicals-biosolids-fertilizer/


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