By Carmen Bunker
As concerns about toxic biosolids, or ‘forever chemicals,’ grow across the nation, a local nonprofit group is trying to raise awareness about the potential risks they could pose in Rockbridge County.
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals used in industrial and consumer products due to their water-resistant and nonstick properties. They are commonly found in items such as raincoats, upholstery, carpet, and nonstick cookware.
The chemicals pose significant risks to humans and animals who consume contaminated water or food, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“These chemicals have been linked to serious health issues like cancer, liver damage, and development harm,” said Joe DiNardo, the watershed committee co-chair for the nonprofit Rockbridge Conservation. “And once they’re in the environment, they don’t just go away.”
These substances are often called ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not easily break down in the environment, according to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA). They have been detected in water, air, fish, and soil across the nation and the globe.
According to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, contaminated biosolids — often used as fertilizer — are applied to hay, pasture, forests, and grain crops like corn and wheat.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it is researching the chemical’s impact on agriculture.
A local farmer said he needs to fertilize his crops, but that harming the land is never the intention.
“You know that farmer that chose to apply biosolids either this year or ten years ago did not wake up in the morning to say, ‘Today I’m going to go out and destroy my farm,” said Steve Hart, a Rockbridge County farmer. “That’s not what they did. This job is tough. It’s financially tough, it’s physically tough. I’m going to do this because it’s the best I can do.”
Agricultural impacts
PFAS contamination is widespread, affecting not only urban areas but also rural and agricultural regions, according to the USDA. Industrial sites, wastewater treatment plants, and firefighting foam runoff are primary sources of these chemicals entering the environment.
In areas like Rockbridge County, where farming is a cornerstone of the local economy, concerns about PFAS contamination are growing—particularly regarding biosolids, a common fertilizer made from treated sewer sludge.
“There is a whole other aspect of PFAS contamination that is particular to rural areas and especially agricultural areas,” said Barbara Walsh, a hydrogeologist and Lexington resident. “And that is the PFAS that is found in biosolids.”
According to the EPA, biosolids contain up to 700 toxic chemicals, including PFAS. However, studies have demonstrated that biosolids applied according to the current EPA and Virginia standards do not present a risk to the state’s agriculture.
Still, some environment advocates argue that Virginia has not done enough to regulate these chemicals in farming communities. The Virginia Water Quality Improvement Act outlines the state’s responsibility to safeguard water quality, but critics say enforcement has been lacking.
“Virginia’s state agencies are sitting on their hands and not doing anything to protect farmers and public health from the dangers of PFAS and biosolids,” said Dean Naujoks, Potomac Riverkeeper.
David Sligh, conservation director of the nonprofit Wild Virginia, said stricter oversight from the state and federal officials is needed to track contamination levels.
“Those pollutants are going to get in the groundwater,” Sligh said.
Since the 1960s, multiple agencies have managed land application of biosolids, with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) overseeing the process today.
The Virginia Farm Bureau has voiced support for the EPA developing standardized testing methods to detect the toxic chemicals in wastewater and biosolid byproducts, according to Martha Moore, the bureau’s senior vice president for government relations.
The 2025 Virginia Farm Bureau policy book emphasizes the need for such measures to better understand the potential impacts of the chemicals on agriculture.
The state DEQ guidelines prohibit livestock from grazing in pastures where biosolids have been applied for at least 30 days.
DiNardo said Rockbridge County is on the low end in terms of contamination levels compared to other parts of the country.
“We are in very low parts per-trillion,” he said.
The way forward
Experts and advocates agree that proactive steps, including more rigorous testing and monitoring, are essential to prevent further contamination.
However, introducing stronger testing measures may come with unintended consequences.
“A farmer finds himself there in terms of, ‘What am I going to do, if they test it?’” Hart said. “And I find out that it’s a problem. It’s like my life’s over situation. You know, I can’t sell my products. I can’t sell the land. And that’s why there’s a great reluctance.”
The potential for contamination remains and efforts to stop it continue. Some states have taken decisive action, including Maine, which became the first the first state to ban the land application of biosolids in 2022.
DiNardo said he thinks everyone, not just farmers, should stop using products that contain forever chemicals.
“Why intentionally make it worse?” DiNardo said. “It’ll be that much harder to clean it all up.”