pfas

The New York Farm Bureau drastically updated its policy position on the practice of landspreading biosolids, which is used as fertilizer. This change comes at the same time the DEC announced more guidelines and testing practices for PFAS “forever chemicals” found in water, soil and air.

The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced several new actions to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” Thursday. These pollutants do not break down in the environment and are found in air, soil and water.

Last week, the town of Cameron in Steuben County became the second in the state to ban the practice of landspreading using sewage sludge, or biosolids. The town adopted the law at its monthly board meeting on June 11. The town of Thurston, also in Steuben County, was the first in New York to ban the practice in 2023.

Sewage sludge may soon be banned in a second town in Steuben County. The town of Cameron finalized the law and is in the process of a public comment period. The town board will vote on the ban at its June meeting.

New York has banned the sale of certain new apparel containing PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”. The law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

PFAS has been linked to health issues, including some cancers, and has been found in waterways adjacent to landspreading in Steuben County. County officials are looking into how to address concerns about contamination.

The waste management company Casella wants to turn its halted sewage sludge operation into a composting business. But town officials say it can’t.

A lawsuit filed against the town of Thurston was recently discontinued. It challenged the town’s ban on landspreading, which uses sewage sludge as fertilizer.

The town of Thurston is being sued for its ban on landspreading, which is the practice of using sewage sludge as fertilizer. Sewage sludge is the byproduct of human and industrial waste produced by wastewater treatment plants.

Fire departments across Broome County received nearly 1,000 gallons of a new type of firefighting foam Wednesday. The county purchased the new foam because the old kind contains PFAS, a group of harmful chemicals linked to cancer.