PFAS

John Phipps: What We Still Don't Know About PFAS

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 19:23:16 GMT

Two comments from Maine viewers about municipal sludge:

“Sludge and sewage contain PFAS and the state of Maine has banned using it since 2022. I disagree with the Report John made Sunday morning.” - Eric Edmundson

“I’m curious why John did not mention PFAS in his recent discussion on using waste treatment sludge as fertilizer? Its use has become a disaster here in Maine.” - Rick Blease

It is not a coincidence that two viewers from Maine responded – Maine has the only and strictest limits on chemicals called PFAS in the country, and also previously encouraged the use of municipal sludge. Very few states have any regulations at all.

The EPA continues to study the situation, but has not defined a PFAS contamination limit. PFAS contain carbon-fluorine chains and were widely used in consumer and industrial products, largely due to water repellant qualities. They became categorized “forever chemicals” which strikes me as meaningless since water and granite are forever chemicals if you stop and think about it. There are over 4,000 man-made forever chemicals.

(Farm Journal)

We don’t know how PFAS enter the food chain. For example, soil treated with sludge containing PFAS grows contaminated lettuce, but not potatoes; corn stalks may contain PFAS, but not the kernels.

Despite considerable alarm from Maine farmers – the handful of which I read about were organic producers – there is no consensus on how harmful these substance levels are. It seems that the closer to the consumer the greater the possibility of PFAS being passed from sludge, which complicates growers who consider this close connection a benefit. Not all municipal sludge contains significant PFAS contamination.

(Farm Journal)

In fact, here’s what the EPA says we DON’T know: How to detect PFAS, how much exposure people are experiencing, how we are exposed, how harmful they are, how to remove them from water, and how to dispose of them. Landfills and incinerators may actually be worse than spreading sludge.

PFAS are rapidly being phased out by industry. There are farm operations ruined by PFAS due to the inability to meet organic standards, but no evidence to date of a pervasive threat to people or land.

The debate will undoubtedly intensify as more research is conducted.

U.S. Senators Call for PFAS Funding in 2023 Farm Bill

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:08:13 GMT

In an effort to help provide safe, clean water to farmers and rural communities, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to the leadership of the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture urging them to address harmful PFAS (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances) contamination in the 2023 Farm Bill.

“The use of PFAS chemicals in various industrial and commercial applications has led to widespread contamination, posing a significant threat to our environment, public health, and agricultural systems,” the Senators and Representatives wrote. “It is imperative that we take decisive action to provide assistance and relief to those affected by PFAS.”

The letter urges the Committees to include two bipartisan bills aimed at providing assistance and relief to farmers and rural communities who bear the brunt of PFAS contamination. The Healthy H2O Act, introduced by Senators Baldwin and Collins and Representative Pingree, provides grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals and non-profits in rural communities. The legislation would help ensure that the nearly 43 million households who rely on groundwater through private wells have access to the tools they need to keep their drinking water safe.

In addition to The Healthy H2O Act, the Senators and Representatives called for the Relief for Farmers Hit With PFAS Act to be included in the Farm Bill. This bipartisan legislation provides financial assistance and support to farmers affected by PFAS contamination.

“These provisions will not only offer crucial assistance to farmers affected by PFAS contamination, but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of our water and food production systems and safeguard public health,” continued the Senators and Representatives. “Together, we can work towards protecting our farmers, our rural communities, and our natural resources from the devastating impacts of PFAS contamination.”

Along with Senators Baldwin and Collins and Representative Pingree, the bipartisan letter was co-signed by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tina Smith (D-MN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), and Gwen Moore (D-WI-04).

Living a PFAS Nightmare

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 20:49:34 GMT

Imagine receiving a phone call from the government telling you to euthanize your entire herd. That’s the nightmare Art Schapp, owner of Highland Dairy in Clovis, New Mexico, wished had never come true. And it’s one he continues to live each day, with his farm now officially being deemed a hazardous waste site.

The Battle with PFAS

It all started back in August 2018 when Schaap received word that seven of the 13 wells located on his dairy had been contaminated by toxins called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS.) These toxic chemicals entered the groundwater after aqueous film-forming foam, a substance used to smother flames in fire training exercises, were used at the nearby Cannon Air Force Base.

A July 2017 inspection by Air Force scientists found contamination near the Schaap dairy – an inspection that came eight years after the Air Force identified the need for such an inspection. The Air Force reported its findings to the New Mexico Environment Department, but not to the people living nearby. When the Air Force finally tested Schaap’s water on Aug. 28, 2018, it was found to be so polluted the military immediately began delivering bottled water to the family’s home.

Schaap’s attention quickly turned to the cows.

“Milk is 97% water. We knew that since the PFAS was contaminating our water, it would likely be contaminating our cows and our milk, too” Schapp told the audience at the 20th Anniversary of the Milk Business Conference.

Testing showed the cows, along with the milk they produced, contained PFAS at levels the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deemed unsafe for human consumption, and Schaap was forced to dump approximately 15,000 gal. of milk each day.

Unfortunately, culling the herd was not an option. With the meat from the animals being tainted, no processor was willing to help Schapp dispose of his herd.

“We didn’t know what to do,” Schapp said.

After working countless hours with lawyers and filling out hundreds of forms, Schapp learned that he could apply for the Dairy Indemnity Program – a program created to provide payments to dairy producers when a public regulatory agency directs them to remove their raw milk from the commercial market because it has been contaminated by pesticides and other residues. However, these payments had a time limit of 18 months.

“When we applied for the Indemnity Program, they only had like a half million dollars in there. And we were losing a half million dollars of gross income a month,” Schapp said. “We went to [the government] and asked them to extend the program, and they said it would take six months to get everything figured out. That wasn’t the case.”

This nightmare continued for nearly four years until Schapp finally received word giving him the go-ahead to euthanize his herd. Highland Dairy worked with state agencies to outline a plan for the disposal of thousands of dead cows as part of the USDA funding process.

“Until that point, we just had to watch some of the cows die,” Schapp said. “We just wanted this mess to finally come to an end, and 42 months later in April 2022, it did.”

With assistance and direction from the State Veterinarian and the New Mexico Livestock Board, Highland Dairy humanely euthanized 3,665 cows – Schaap’s entire herd.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster,” Schapp said. “Nobody should ever have to go through that, but it felt like we were finally nearing the end.”

No Giving Up

Today, the parlor at Highland Dairy sits empty. And unfortunately, the steady hum of those pulsators will never be heard again.

According to Schapp, in 2022 the EPA’s limit for PFAS in agricultural water was 70 parts per trillion - Schapp’s operation tested at 37,000 parts per trillion. In March 2023, the EPA will drop that standard to 0.02 parts per trillion, making Highland Dairy 1,000,008 times over the limit.

“Because of this new standard, our farm will now be considered a hazardous waste site, and I have no idea what will eventually become of our property,” Schapp said. “Farmers need to be aware of these regulations and what’s happening on and around their farms so they aren’t blindsided by this disaster like I was.”

While Schapp’s fond memories of his dairy are now tainted with destruction and heartache, he never regretted his decision to stand up and fight for his farm.

“Giving up was never an option for us,” Schapp said. “This wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, but we never, ever gave up. This whole process made me painfully aware of how alone farmers really are when something like this happens. And I hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else. But if it does – know that you have to be strong and you have to fight hard.”

For more on Schapp’s story, read:

Air Force Pollution Forces New Mexico Dairy to Euthanize 3,665 Cows

Air Force Pollution Forces New Mexico Dairy to Euthanize 3,665 Cows

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Art Schaap, owner of Highland Dairy in Clovis, New Mexico, has been living a nightmare for the past four years. Fortunately, it sounds like the nightmare might soon be reaching its end.

In August 2018, Schaap received word that seven of the 13 wells located on his dairy had been contaminated by toxins called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS.) These toxic chemicals entered the groundwater after aqueous film-forming foam, a substance used to smother flames in fire training exercises, were used at the nearby Cannon Air Force Base.

A July 2017 inspection by Air Force scientists found contamination near the Schaap dairy – an inspection that came eight years after the Air Force identified the need for such an inspection, The Guardian reports. The Air Force reported its findings to the New Mexico Environment Department, but not to the people living nearby. When the Air Force finally tested Schaap’s water on Aug. 28, 2018, it was found to be so polluted the military immediately began delivering bottled water to the family’s home. One of Schaap’s wells tested at 12,000 parts per trillion, or 171 times the EPA health advisory level of 70 ppt.

“It’s potentially been in the groundwater the whole time I’ve owned the dairy,” Schaap said.

Unfortunately, the contaminated wells provided drinking water to Schaap’s entire herd. Testing showed the cows, along with the milk they produced, contained PFAS at levels the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deemed unsafe for human consumption. With the milk deemed unsafe, Schaap was forced to dump approximately 15,000 gal. of milk each day.

“This has poisoned everything I’ve worked for and everything I care about,” Schaap told New Mexico Political Report. “I can’t sell the milk. I can’t sell beef. I can’t sell the cows. I can’t sell crops or my property. The Air Force knew they had contamination. What I really wonder is, why didn’t they say something?”

Disposing of the Herd

Four years later, Schaap’s nightmare is finally coming to an end, but not without heartache. After discovering the PFAS toxins were present in his animals, Schaap knew that someday he would be forced to euthanize his entire herd. Unfortunately, that day has come.

Earlier this month, Highland Dairy, with assistance and direction from the State Veterinarian and the New Mexico Livestock Board, humanely euthanized 3,665 cows – Schaap’s entire herd.

The current estimated cost of this loss of revenue and increased expenses is $5,946,462, which does not account for upcoming costs associated with the on-farm composting of animal mortalities and final disposal, according to a New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) news release.

News of the herd’s dispersal is not only striking a nerve with the public, but government officials as well.

“The Department of Defense poisoned Highland Dairy’s cows, and the loss is devastating and heartbreaking,” said James Kenney, New Mexico Environment Department cabinet secretary. “Rather than take responsibility for its PFAS pollution, the Department of Defense put a family farm out of business and has the audacity to continue its litigation against New Mexico – forcing New Mexicans to pay for cleanup and legal costs. As a result, we are now assisting Highland Dairy in managing dairy cow carcasses as hazardous substances and seeking input from experts on treatment and disposal options.”

NMED is the state agency overseeing Highland Dairy’s plan for disposal of PFAS-contaminated livestock, which is required for the dairy to qualify for cow indemnity under USDA’s Dairy Indemnity Payment Program. The program, which USDA expanded late last year, provides payments to dairy producers for the lost value of their herd due to contamination from livestock exposure to chemicals, such as PFAS.

Now, with the animals euthanized, a disposal plan has been set in place.

In the first phase of the plan, the dairy will compost all PFAS-contaminated carcasses on the farm. In the second phase, the dairy will conduct a PFAS analysis of the composted material and any other material to determine final removal and disposal options.

According to the NMED press release, the Highland Dairy removal plan is the first of its kind nationally for addressing PFAS-contaminated cows as a hazardous waste and was developed in consultation with the USDA Farm Service Agency, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the State Veterinarian of New Mexico, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and NMED.

“I support NMED’s science-based approach to ensure that livestock and other agricultural sectors are safe,” says Jeff Witte, director/secretary of New Mexico Department of Agriculture. “We, unfortunately, already witnessed how PFAS contamination affected a New Mexico dairy.”

The state Environment Department says it has allocated $850,000 of its hazardous waste emergency waste for cleanup of the carcasses and associated wastes. The department estimates it has now spent over $6 million to protect communities from PFAS.

“All states are dealing with PFAS and the agricultural industry. That’s not uncommon. What is uncommon is that New Mexico has the first case to my knowledge in which 3,600 cows have been euthanized. We’re treating PFAS like it should be treated, a hazardous waste,” Kenney says.

While steps are being taken to help resolve this contamination issue, it doesn’t take away the fact that lives were impacted by the chemicals used in training exercises at Cannon Air Force Base.

“Cannon Air Force Base knows what they have done to the groundwater,” Schaap says. “They expect military personnel to have integrity, but what they are doing to the Clovis community and the farms near the base does not demonstrate integrity. They need to own the pollution.”