The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has released a new issue paper, PFAS in Agriculture: Science, Uncertainty, and Risk Communication, by Jon Entine, Mark McDaniel and Thomas Redick. The recording of the Oct. 16 release webinar is now available on CAST’s YouTube channel.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS and often called “forever chemicals,” have become one of the most consequential environmental and regulatory challenges facing American agriculture. PFAS reach farmland mostly from outside sources, including biosolids, compost, irrigation water and industrial contamination.
The paper reviews what the science shows and where it remains uncertain, how federal and state regulation and litigation are changing, and what practical steps farmers, composters and agricultural communicators can take. Its recommendations include prioritizing upstream source control, testing higher-risk inputs strategically, interpreting results compound by compound, documenting decisions, engaging in state rulemaking and communicating early.
Authors
- Jon Entine, founder, Science Literacy Project (Genetic Literacy Project)
- Mark McDaniel, vice president, AlterEcho and TechLaw Consultants Inc.
- Thomas Redick, retired environmental attorney, Global Environmental Ethics Counsel LLC
Download the paper: https://cast-science.org/publication/pfas-in-agriculture-science-uncertainty-and-risk-communication/
Watch the webinar
