Navigating What’s Next in PFAS – PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids and How AEL Can Help
At Advanced Environmental Laboratories (AEL), we’ve supported clients with PFAS testing long before it became a headline. From wastewater and biosolids to soil and groundwater, our team delivers accredited, defensible data to municipalities, industrial clients, environmental consultants, and now—more than ever—farmers facing growing concerns about biosolid use.
In January 2025, new draft findings were released:
Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment PFOA and PFOS
Fact Sheet Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS
Fact Sheet Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment: Information for Farmers
These documents outline modeled scenarios where even low concentrations (1 ppb) of PFOA or PFOS in biosolids could pose human health risks when land-applied, incinerated, or surface disposed. Risks were highest for people living or working on farms where biosolids are used, or those relying on food and water from these areas.
Exposure Pathways Modeled:
- Groundwater used for drinking near disposal sites
- Milk and eggs from animals raised on treated land
- Fish from nearby waterbodies
- Crops grown in amended soils
While the documents emphasize farm-level risk, the implications extend to all stakeholders involved in biosolids management, wastewater treatment, and land application programs.
PFAS and More: The Broader Risk Landscape
In addition to PFAS, biosolids may contain:
- Pathogens like bacteria and viruses that survive treatment
- Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury
- Emerging pollutants including pharmaceuticals and microplastics
- Nutrient imbalances and pH shifts that affect soil health and runoff
These combined risks underscore the need for careful testing, data transparency, and informed application strategies.
How AEL Supports Your Program
Whether you’re a municipality preparing for permitting, an industrial operator managing discharge, or a farmer evaluating biosolid reuse—AEL can help you stay ahead:
✔️ PFAS testing across biosolids, wastewater, soil, and solids
✔️ ISO/IEC 17025 and DoD ELAP-accredited laboratories
✔️ Nationwide reach with fast, expert support
✔️ Experience with EPA Method 1633 and complex matrices
Let’s talk about how AEL can support your biosolids and PFAS testing needs.
From the field to the lab, we’re with you every step of the way.
Let’s connect and move forward with confidence.
