On January 14, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) for public comment. More information can be found here:
This is a risk assessment only and the first step towards regulating PFAS in biosolids at the Federal level. The public comment period ends on April 16, 2025. Public comments can be made at Docket (EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0504).
https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0504-0001/comment
The EPA’s modeling finds that there may be human health risks exceeding the EPA’s acceptable thresholds for some modeled scenarios when land-applying sewage sludge that contains 1 part per billion (ppb) of PFOA or PFOS. The risk to human health will vary based on the historical duration and rate of application, the climate, geology, and hydrology at the disposal site, and many other site-specific factors.
Certain states have already taken steps to regulate PFAS in biosolids including:
- A total ban on biosolids land application in Maine
- Monitoring and regulation of biosolids application in Michigan
- Prohibition of use and sale of biosolids containing PFAS in Connecticut
Maine: https://www.maine.gov/dep/spills/topics/pfas/
Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/biosolids/pfas-related
Connecticut: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/remediation–site-clean-up/contaminants-of-emerging-concern/minimize-future-pfas-releases
EEC Environmental is tackling PFAS challenges for a variety of municipal and industrial clients throughout the US and is prepared to discuss how existing and new regulations may impact you. If you have any questions concerning these or any other PFAS-related issues, please contact EEC’s CEO and Principal Chemist John Shaffer at (714) 667-2300 or jshaffer@eecenvironmental.com
