Protect New York's Environment

Sewage sludge — also known as “biosolids” — is a toxic mix of human and industrial waste. It contains dangerous “forever chemicals” (PFAS), microplastics, heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, industrial solvents, and pesticides.

Right now in New York, sewage sludge is being spread on farmland, parks, and gardens.When this contaminated waste is applied to land, PFAS chemicals seep into drinking water, soil becomes polluted, crops absorb toxic substances, livestock feed becomes contaminated, and meat and dairy products can carry these chemicals to our plates. PFAS are linked to cancer, obesity, fertility issues, developmental delays in children, and harm to the immune, endocrine, and circulatory systems. These chemicals do not break down — once they’re in our soil and water, they remain for decades.

Legislation would establish a five-year moratorium on the spreading of sewage sludge while New York develops a comprehensive testing program to assess contamination and provides technical and financial support to farmers dealing with contaminated land.

Tell NY's Legislative Leaders: Protect New Yorkers’ food, water, and soil from PFAS contamination.

Sewage sludge — also known as “biosolids” — is a toxic mix of human and industrial waste. It contains dangerous “forever chemicals” (PFAS), microplastics, heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, industrial solvents, and pesticides.

Right now in New York, sewage sludge is being spread on farmland, parks, and gardens.When this contaminated waste is applied to land, PFAS chemicals seep into drinking water, soil becomes polluted, crops absorb toxic substances, livestock feed becomes contaminated, and meat and dairy products can carry these chemicals to our plates. PFAS are linked to cancer, obesity, fertility issues, developmental delays in children, and harm to the immune, endocrine, and circulatory systems. These chemicals do not break down — once they’re in our soil and water, they remain for decades.

Legislation would establish a five-year moratorium on the spreading of sewage sludge while New York develops a comprehensive testing program to assess contamination and provides technical and financial support to farmers dealing with contaminated land.

Tell NY's Legislative Leaders: Protect New Yorkers’ food, water, and soil from PFAS contamination.

Stop Toxic Sewage Sludge from Contaminating Our Food and Water

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Dear Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins,

I am writing to urge you to support legislation establishing a five-year moratorium (A.10138/ S.9115) on the spreading of sewage sludge, otherwise known as biosolids, on land across New York State, as well as increased testing and community support.

Sewage sludge is not simply treated waste; it contains dangerous “forever chemicals” (PFAS), along with microplastics, heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, industrial solvents, and pesticides. When this contaminated material is spread, PFAS chemicals seep into our soil and drinking water, and accumulate in crops, especially in livestock feed. Over time, these toxic chemicals make their way into our food supply, especially meat and dairy products. PFAS are linked to increased cancer risk, fertility problems, developmental delays in children, and harm to the immune and endocrine systems. These chemicals do not break down in the environment and can contaminate farmland for generations.

New York must take action.

A five-year moratorium would allow the state to develop a comprehensive testing program, assess the historic impacts of sludge spreading, and provide both technical and financial support to farmers managing contaminated land.

Continuing to spread contaminated waste onto farmland puts public health, drinking water, and agricultural livelihoods at risk. Please stand with New Yorkers and support a moratorium on sewage sludge spreading until we can ensure our food, water, and soil are safe.

Thank you for your leadership.

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