Chemicals Found In 45% Of Tap Water In America Is Killing Livestock And Fish, Say Texas Ranchers

Farmers in Johnson County, Texas, report that their livestock and fish are experiencing fatalities and illnesses attributed to a certain fertilizer on agricultural land near them. The fertilizer is composed of human waste treated by the city of Fort Worth, Texas. The fertilizer contains PFAS chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are a group of synthetic compounds widely used in various industrial and consumer products.
The EPA says exposure to PFAS may result in liver and immune system harm, as well as low birth weight, birth defects, and developmental delays. They also link it to higher risks of certain cancers such as prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
Half Of Tap Water Contaminated

In a recent government study, PFAS chemicals were found in nearly half of the nation’s tap water samples. The chemicals are so common that they are detected in nearly every human in the country.
EPA Takes Action

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency declared that municipal utilities will, for the first time, be mandated to identify and eliminate PFAS from drinking water sources. This comes as a relief for many around the country who are rightfully concerned about these chemicals in their water.
Why Didn’t EPA Act Sooner?

The question has arisen as to why the EPA didn’t do anything sooner. Activists attribute responsibility to chemical companies, alleging decades-long concealment of PFAS hazards, as indicated by lawsuits and a peer-reviewed study published in the Annals of Global Health. They analyzed previously undisclosed industry documents.
Texas Rancher

Tony Coleman’s livestock graze on 300 acres just outside Grandview, Texas. Coleman mentioned that his property had been contaminated, leading to the death of his livestock and fish, allegedly due to the fertilizer that his neighboring farmer used on their crops, which contains PFAS chemicals.
100% Contamination

Overall, Coleman said 10 cows, two horses, and five entire ponds full of fish died. “The well water, all the animal tissues tested 100-percent contaminated. We had 100 percent contamination on these properties,” said Dana Ames, Johnson County Constable Detective.
Biosolids

The PFAS chemicals ultimately find their way into human waste, which undergoes processing at a wastewater treatment plant. During this process, biosolids are created. Synagro, a company, turns these biosolids, aka “sewage sludge,” into fertilizer.
Lawsuit

Synagro and the City of Fort Worth have a contract so that the company can utilize the city’s biosolids for fertilizer. Tony Coleman and four additional landowners have filed a lawsuit against Synagro concerning the contamination affecting their properties.
Scary Situation

Attorney Mary Whittle said, “It’s scary and I think our clients are hopeful there will be some relief for them. but they are looking at having to abandon their farms and potentially euthanize all their animals, which is extremely emotional and hard to face.”
Synagro Statement

Synagro made a statement regarding the lawsuit: “The biosolids applied by a farmer working with Synagro met all U.S. EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements. U.S. EPA continues to support land application of biosolids as a valuable practice that recycles nutrients to farmland and has not suggested at this time that PFAS in biosolids requires any changes to current biosolids management practices.”
Farmers Are Victims

The biosolid fertilizer is used all across America and often contains toxic levels of PFAS. “Farmers are led to believe this is safe and it’s cheap fertilizer and they have been victimized as much as anybody,” said Johnson County Commissioner Larry Wooley.
Chernobyl Comparison

A Johnson County commissioner compared the contamination in the county to Chernobyl. “My first thought was, you know, this is Chernobyl, a nuclear meltdown,” commissioner Kenny Howell said.
Rancher Calls For Ban

Rancher Tony Coleman said, “This stuff should be banned all across America. I mean, what are our children going to do? You are ruining their land. You are ruining their water source… This has to stop.”
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