DoomsdaysCW<p>Unfortunately, the public comment period for this project has passed. But this editorial has good information in it.</p><p>EDITORIAL: Keep <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PFAS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PFAS</span></a> out of recycled sewage sludge</p><p>By Gazette Editorial Board | June 9, 2023 </p><p>"PFAS chemicals have recently been at the heart of health and environmental issues in Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh and other areas around the state, leading to legal action, tougher regulations and cleanup efforts.</p><p>"The chemicals have been linked to a variety of health issues, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, colitis and high blood pressure.</p><p>"In most cases, the environmental contamination comes from the discharge of the compounds into the soil from manufacturers of products that use PFAS chemicals, such as <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/nonStick" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>nonStick</span></a> cooking material, <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/firefighting" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>firefighting</span></a> foam and stain-resistant <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/carpet" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>carpet</span></a>.</p><p>"But those same dangerous chemicals may also be finding their way in greater amounts into our <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/soil" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>soil</span></a>, <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/groundwater" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>groundwater</span></a> and even <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FoodSupply" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>FoodSupply</span></a> through their use in <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/fertilizers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>fertilizers</span></a> made from <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/sewage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>sewage</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/sludge" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>sludge</span></a>.</p><p>"It’s imperative that [<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/NewYorkState" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>NewYorkState</span></a>] do all it can to reduce PFAS chemicals into the environment, not add to them.</p><p>"That’s why groups like the <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SierraClub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SierraClub</span></a> and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York are among those concerned about an element of the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s draft Solid Waste Management plan that could nearly triple the amount of recycled sewage sludge used in fertilizer and applied to <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/farmland" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>farmland</span></a> and home <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/gardens" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>gardens</span></a>.</p><p>"According to an article in the Altamont Enterprise, the DEC projects that 425,585 tons of sewage sludge is expected to be recycled this year. In 2018, the amount recycled was just over 300,000 tons. By 2050, the amount of recycled sludge is expected to rise to 782,527 tons, the newspaper reported.</p><p>"The potential for that sludge to contain PFAS chemicals means that there could be an increase in PFAS’s making their way into the environment.</p><p>"DEC officials said they recognize the potential for PFAS chemicals to re-enter the environment through sludge and they’re taking steps to address it, including proposing sampling requirements for so-called biosolids recycled in New York state, a comprehensive risk assessment to determine a limit for biosolids recycling, and efforts to identify potential commercial and industrial sources of PFAS chemicals in biosolids.</p><p>"The public really needs to keep an eye on this effort to ensure that the state is doing all it can to avoid contributing to more of these chemicals entering the environment."</p><p><a href="https://dailygazette.com/2023/06/09/editorial-keep-pfas-out-of-recycled-sewage-sludge/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">dailygazette.com/2023/06/09/ed</span><span class="invisible">itorial-keep-pfas-out-of-recycled-sewage-sludge/</span></a></p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/EPA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>EPA</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/InformedConsent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>InformedConsent</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PFOS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PFOS</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/WaterIsLife" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>WaterIsLife</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ToxicWaste" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ToxicWaste</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FoodProduction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>FoodProduction</span></a><br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ChemicalManufacturers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ChemicalManufacturers</span></a></p>