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ARTICLE · 21 MAY 2025

PFAS In Biosolids: Washington State Adopts Testing Requirement

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Washington state has joined the growing list of states addressing the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in biosolids that are widely used in farming.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Michael A. Nesteroff
Michael A. Nesteroff
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Washington state has joined the growing list of states addressing the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in biosolids that are widely used in farming. With Governor Bob Ferguson's signature on SSB 5033, the Washington measure mandates a testing process to determine the extent of PFAS in biosolids, a step well short of an outright ban on the use of biosolids that some states have adopted or setting a standard for acceptable PFAS levels in biosolids that other states have established.

PFAS compounds have been raised as a health concern because they are used in a wide range of consumer products and do not degrade over time. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) focus has been on manufacturers and drinking water supplies, while the states, including Washington, have been addressing PFAS on several fronts. One of the areas of the states' focus is on biosolids, which are produced by wastewater

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