Similar to Ontario, New York has allowed land application of sewage biosolids knowing it may contain PFAS.
Similar to Ontario, New York has focused on educating farmers on the benefits of land applying sewage biosolids, referring to these biosolids as a nutrient-rich organic soil amendment.
In New York, however, “there is a state bill calling for a five-year moratorium on landspreading of biosolids”. This bill has been passed by the state senate and is “awaiting a vote in the assembly”.
This is according to an article published January 5th, 2026 titled “New York Farm Bureau Says No More ‘Sewage Sludge’ Used as Fertilizer Unless Tested, Cleared of PFAS”.
This article also indicates that the New York Farm Bureau is “opposed to the land application of biosolids which have detectable amounts of PFAS and/or elevated levels of heavy metals”.
What is the reason for this change?
The New York Farm Bureau states the need to protect farmers, farmland and food from the risk of PFAS contamination.
Should Ontario do the same?
Remember, sewage biosolids are processed sewage sludge from our wastewater treatment plants which includes waste from industry, factories, and hospitals in addition to residential waste. It is known to contain numerous chemicals, including PFAS, which are not removed in the processing.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) aka “forever chemicals” are known to cause a variety of health issues including developmental issues for children and various cancers. PFAS are known to accumulate overtime, not breakdown, thus the name “forever chemicals”.
Starting in October 2024, the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) has implemented testing for PFAS in biosolids setting a limit of 50 ppb (parts per billion). However the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has indicated that “a limit of 1 ppb is too high to be protective of human health and the environment” with other research indicating that there is no safe amount of PFAS.
Our Canadian federal government in March 2025 classified all PFAS chemicals as toxic substances.
Why is Ontario continuing to allow spreading of sewage biosolids on our valuable farmland?
What is the risk of spreading waste known to contain toxic substances that cause numerous health issues? This process may permanently contaminate our farmland. What is in our soil may also be in our food and our water. The land application of sewage biosolids “is a key uptake pathway for PFAS into the food chain” (per an article referring to a CFIA draft report on PFAS).
Should Ontario be banning land application of sewage biosolids containing PFAS?
It is the New York Farm Bureau that has brought about this change.
What do Ontario farmers think about this issue?
Who is protecting our farmers, farmland and food from the risk of PFAS contamination?
Heather Horning
Citizens Concerned About Biosolids
ccab.ontario@gmail.com
