Canada is grappling with the pervasive issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals notoriously known as "forever chemicals." With around 15,000 PFAS substances currently on the market, these chemicals have raised significant health and environmental concerns due to their persistence in the environment and potential to cause harm. The Canadian government has been proactive in banning specific PFAS substances, such as PFOS by 2002 and PFOA by 2012, although certain exemptions still exist. In a move to further combat the issue, Canada filed a class-action lawsuit in 2023 against PFAS manufacturers for widespread drinking-water contamination.
The urgency for regulatory intervention has intensified following revelations from a U.S. government study that found alarmingly high levels of PFAS in sewage sludge marketed as fertilizer. This has heightened concerns among Canadian experts about the potential health risks associated with these chemicals. Biosolids, derived from wastewater treatment plants, are often used as agricultural fertilizers, yet they contain PFAS that can enter the food chain, posing a threat to public health.
“Everyone knows they’re harmful. Everyone knows they’re considered to be ‘forever chemicals,’” said Peter Ross, a toxicologist.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has discovered that PFAS concentrations in sewage sludge surpass regulatory limits by several orders of magnitude. This finding underscores the pressing need for stringent regulations and monitoring of biosolids used in agriculture. In contrast, Metro Vancouver asserts that its wastewater treatment plants do not receive substantial inputs of PFAS. Janelle Hunt, a program manager at Metro Vancouver's liquid waste services department, emphasizes the efforts made to ensure safety and quality.
“Not all biosolids are the same; their quality reflects what the community sends down its drains,” stated Janelle Hunt.
“Metro Vancouver continues to stay current with the available science to ensure the safety and quality of its biosolids,” she added.
The peat-like substance Nutrifor, produced and sold by Metro Vancouver, contains PFAS and is utilized as a fertilizer in agriculture and forestry. While Metro Vancouver maintains a rigorous quality control program, experts caution that any PFAS presence in biosolids remains concerning. The Canadian federal government is currently developing a comprehensive chemical management plan for PFAS to address these challenges.
“We have a rigorous quality control program and regularly test biosolids for PFAS,” reiterated Janelle Hunt.
Health Canada has implemented interim standards prohibiting the importation and sale of municipal biosolids containing PFOS levels at 50 parts per billion or higher. This move aligns with efforts by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which has been collaborating with provinces and municipalities since 2023 to establish interim standards for PFAS in biosolids.
“The standard applies to all domestic and imported biosolids intended for use as commercial fertilizers,” stated a spokesperson for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Despite these measures, the challenge of PFAS contamination persists across Canada. A July 2024 updated draft state report highlighted that contamination from these "forever chemicals" is widespread throughout the country, affecting various regions and sectors. The report underscores the necessity for continued vigilance and regulatory actions to mitigate the impact of PFAS.
The situation in Canada mirrors actions taken by other regions, notably Maine, which became the first U.S. state to ban the application of biosolids on farmland in 2022. This precedent-setting move reflects growing recognition of the potential risks associated with PFAS in agricultural applications.
Peter Ross pointed out another dimension of the problem:
“We’re basically dealing with contaminated sites at airports across Canada,” he noted, emphasizing the broader scope of PFAS contamination beyond agriculture.
As Canada advances its efforts to tackle PFAS contamination, collaboration among government agencies, scientific experts, and industry stakeholders will be crucial. The development of effective policies and practices will require comprehensive research and data collection to understand the extent of PFAS presence in various environmental matrices.
