The Biden administration overstated the public health risks from “forever” chemicals found in sludge used for fertilizer, EPA said Monday in proposing a fresh review of the issue.
EPA charged that the Biden administration’s draft risk assessment on the chemicals in January 2025 was based mainly on the worst hypothetical scenarios and overlooked more real-world situations that might suggest less severe effects.
“Based on the hypothetical biosolids and sewage sludge use and disposal scenarios modeled and presented in the Draft Risk Assessment, a misconception has arisen that all biosolids and sewage sludge use and disposal practices will negatively affect the public,” EPA said in the notice published in the Federal Register.
The environmental agency said it’s taking public comment for 60 days and specifically asked for information on practices that can reduce exposure, including cutting concentration of the chemicals in sewage sludge.
