Fort Worth, Texas, is ending its contract with Synagro due to concerns that fertilizer produced from sewage sludge contains hazardous PFAS chemicals. Ranchers have reported livestock illnesses potentially linked to these contamination issues, prompting lawsuits and an investigation.
Texas City Cuts Ties with Fertilizer Company Amid Toxic Contamination Concerns
Texas City Cuts Ties with Fertilizer Company Amid Toxic Contamination Concerns
Fort Worth, Texas, terminates its contract with Synagro over fears of 'forever chemicals' in sewage-based fertilizer affecting local agriculture and water sources.
In a significant move reflective of increasing concerns over environmental health, the City of Fort Worth, Texas, has announced the end of its contract with Synagro, a fertilizer company that has been under scrutiny for the potential contamination of local farmland and groundwater. The decision follows mounting worries about the presence of “forever chemicals,” formally known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in the sludge-based fertilizers that Synagro produces, derived from the city's sewage system.
This decision comes in the wake of Fort Worth initiating a lawsuit against multiple manufacturers of PFAS, claiming their products have tainted the city's water supplies. These chemicals, commonly found in everyday items such as nonstick cookware and water-repellent fabrics, have been increasingly linked to environmental contamination and health issues.
The controversy escalated after reports emerged from ranchers in nearby Johnson County, who have alleged that their livestock has become ill due to the use of Synagro's sewage-sludge fertilizer on adjacent farmland. As a reaction to these claims, Johnson County has undertaken a criminal investigation into Synagro's operations and their implications for agricultural health and safety.
Recent studies indicate that sewage sludge, utilized as a fertilizer, may contain PFAS, raising alarms among farmers and community members about the broader implications of using such products on crops and livestock. The situation exemplifies the growing challenges faced by municipalities and agricultural stakeholders in managing waste and ensuring public health in an era defined by heightened awareness of environmental sustainability and chemical safety.
