FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Sewer sludge from wastewater treatment plants appears to expose farmers and nearby neighbors to toxic “forever” chemicals, a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft risk assessment says.

The Rundown EPA releases draft health risk assessment for two PFAS in biosolids. EPA publishes final toxicity review for inorganic arsenic, a naturally occurring drinking water contaminant. USGS releases study on water supply and demand in the Lower 48 states.

Environmental advocates are calling for a ban the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer. An EPA draft report found that there may be health risks associated with exposure to PFAS "forever chemicals" in the sludge,

Farm families that consume milk, eggs and beef they raise themselves face an increased risk of cancer if their fields were fertilized with PFAS-laced sewage sludge, the EPA reported this week. The results do not suggest that the broader food supply is contaminated.