Oct 17, 2024USDA develops roadmap to address PFAS challenges in agriculture
The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has announced key outcomes from a recent workshop aimed at creating a long-term research plan to tackle challenges posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in U.S. agriculture.
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, have been found in agricultural soils and waters, raising concerns for producers and farming communities.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the University of Maine, brought together over 150 researchers and experts from various agencies and institutions to address PFAS’s impact on agroecosystems and food production. The group discussed solutions, including better detection methods, understanding PFAS movement in the environment, and developing strategies to remove or mitigate the chemicals before they cause harm.
“The meeting’s focus on the gap between PFAS challenges and solutions has empowered and offered hope to ARS, its partners and sister agencies,” said David Knaebel, senior management advisor for ARS. “The workshop’s overarching impact will assist the U.S. agricultural research community in finding creative ways to mitigate a rapidly growing PFAS challenge in U.S. agriculture.”
PFAS chemicals, which have been used in industries since the 1940s, are bioaccumulative and pose a risk to food safety. Although agriculture is not the source of PFAS contamination, producers must find cost-effective ways to address the issue when it is detected.
The workshop also highlighted the need for data standardization, management of biosolids and partnerships to develop effective tools for farmers. Moving forward, ARS plans to expand its PFAS research to safeguard the U.S. food supply and natural resources.
