The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 14, 2025, a draft risk assessment of the potential human health risks associated with the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in biosolids, also known as sewage sludge. According to EPA, the findings show that there may be human health risks associated with exposure to PFOA or PFOS with all three methods of using or disposing of sewage sludge — land application of biosolids, surface disposal in landfills, or incineration. The draft risk assessment focuses on those living on or near impacted sites or those that rely primarily on those sites’ products (e.g., food crops, animal products, drinking water). EPA notes that the draft risk assessment does not model risks for the general public. EPA states that once prepared in final, the assessment will help EPA and its partners understand the public health impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids and inform any potential future actions to help reduce the risk of exposure. EPA has posted a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice announcing the availability of the draft risk assessment. Publication of the notice in the Federal Register will begin a 60-day comment period. EPA will hold a webinar on January 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (EST) to provide information on the draft risk assessment. The webinar will include an opportunity for questions and answers. EPA will post a recording of the webinar.
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