16/09/2022
It is imperative that we as gardeners understand the dangers of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in our soil and compost. We encourage all gardeners and growers to read Michael Hawthorn’s investigation into dangerous PFAS found in biosolids in the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s free EQ (Exceptional Quality) compost (article link below.) This is a disappointing and devastating failure of MWRD to know - but downplay - the health risks of growing food in their product, while specifically offering it to food growers such as community gardeners and urban farmers. PFAS, even if used in ornamental beds, are considered “forever chemicals”.
CCGA has always turned down MWRD's offers of EQ compost for distribution to community gardens, even rejecting free oak saplings planted in buckets for the same concerns mentioned here. The Tribune article also reported that the City of Chicago has held a policy since 2006 that biosolids are not safe enough for use on vacant lots. If biosolids containing PFAS aren’t good enough for vacant lots, then they’re not good enough for Chicago’s backyards, community and school gardens, and urban farms. CCGA will call on the City to hold all spaces for gardening and growing to the same environmental standard as city-owned lots.
We believe that MWRD needs to take responsibility for the safety of their products. "Every scoop of sludge is contaminated with toxic forever chemicals linked to cancer and other maladies, a Chicago Tribune investigation has found.” Accountability should include 1) offering testing of affected sites now and in the future, not just for PFAS but also other heavy metals commonly found in biosolids, and 2) paying for cleanup/removal of soil contaminated with PFAS introduced by their biosolids.
Read his Tribune article: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-pfas-sewage-sludge-gardens-20220910-gpkdphif7faflemajudoxrggma-htmlstory.html.
Read more about PFAS: https://www.epa.gov/pfas
Please visit http://www.chicagocommunitygardens.org for pdf versions of the articles as well as statements from the MWRD.
Photo: Mary Weaver harvests tomatoes in her garden plot in McCormick Community Gardens on Sept. 7, 2022, in Evanston. Weaver is concerned she and others might be inadvertently contaminating their vegetables by using PFAS-laden sludge as fertilizer in their community garden plots. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)
