Levels of PFAS in sewage sludge used as fertilizer can pose risks that sometimes exceed safety thresholds “by several orders of magnitude,” the agency said.

Food produced on farms whose land was contaminated with toxic “forever chemicals” may pose a risk to human health, according to a new draft report from the Environmental Protection Agency

The E.P.A.’s report follows a growing body of research that has found that sludge can be contaminated with human-made “forever chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are used in a wide range of household items such as nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing and stain-resistant carpets.

Farmers who use sewage sludge as fertilizer and their neighbors face higher risks of cancer and other diseases, according to a new federal analysis that pins the blame on toxic forever chemicals. The findings are particularly relevant for northeast Illinois,

When people eat or drink foods containing “forever” chemicals, the compounds accumulate in the body and can cause kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer.

The use of treated sewage sludge as fertilizer on farms can pose a health risk to residents and consumers because of the presence of “forever chemicals” that break down slowly, the Environmental Protection Agency said today.