FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2026
Farmers, Health Experts, and Environmental Groups Urge New York to Halt Spreading of Toxic Sewage Sludge
Albany, NY — Environmental Advocates NY (EANY), alongside more than 65 organizations representing farmers, public health professionals, scientists, parents, and environmental advocates, sent a sign-on letter today urging Governor Kathy Hochul, state agency leaders, and the New York State Legislature to end the land application of contaminated sewage sludge, also known as biosolids, across New York State.
While sewage sludge is often referred to as a form of recycling, growing evidence shows it contains a dangerous mix of toxic contaminants including PFAS “forever chemicals,” heavy metals, industrial solvents, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics that pose serious risks to farmland, food systems, drinking water, and human health.
“New York cannot truly protect public health, farmers, and clean water while allowing toxic sewage sludge to be spread on our land,” said Claire Walsh Winsler, EANY’s Director of Agriculture and Land Use. “The safest, most responsible course is to stop this practice now and invest in alternatives that do not poison our communities.”
Testing across the country has shown that sewage sludge routinely contains PFAS, chemicals linked to cancer, immune system damage, and other developmental harms. When applied to farmland and open land, these toxic substances can accumulate in soil, contaminate crops and livestock, and seep into groundwater and drinking water supplies, creating long-term risks for farmers and neighboring communities.
The letter calls on New York State to:
- Establish a moratorium on the land application of contaminated sewage sludge across agricultural, forestry, and open lands
- Investigate and assess contamination resulting from past land spreading
- Provide support and remediation assistance to impacted farmers and communities
- Invest in safe, sustainable alternatives for sludge treatment and disposal that do not contaminate food systems or ecosystems
Signatories include farmers from across the state, major environmental and public health organizations, food system advocates, and parent groups — underscoring the widespread concern about the impacts of sludge spreading on agriculture and community health.
The full sign-on letter and list of organizations can be found here.
# # #
