PFAS and why they matter
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals used to repel water, oil, and stains. They break down very slowly and can accumulate in soil, water, crops, livestock, and humans.
Health agencies have linked PFAS exposure to certain cancers, immune system effects, and developmental problems (Fenton et al., 2020; Panieri et al., 2022).
Humans are exposed to PFAS from a range of sources every day, leading to an accumulation in waste streams. Studies have shown that land application of biosolids (digested sewage sludge) is a main source of these pollutants in our soils and groundwater (Johnson, 2022).
The best management option for soil is to prevent new PFAS inputs, which means checking the ingredients in fertilizers, composts, and other amendments and choosing products with transparent sourcing.
Connecticut rules and timeline
Connecticut’s current rule is focused on biosolids and wastewater sludge. Since October 1, 2024, Connecticut has prohibited the use, sale, or offer for sale of biosolids or wastewater sludge containing PFAS as soil amendments (Connecticut General Assembly, Public Act No. 24-59).
Beginning July 1, 2025, Connecticut extended this restriction to certain fertilizer products by covering fertilizer intended for land application that contains biosolids or wastewater sludge that contain PFAS, and it added compliance provisions for registrants (Connecticut General Assembly, Public Act No. 25-152).
Federal biosolids rules under EPA’s Part 503 still address issues such as pathogens, vector attraction reduction, pollutant limits, monitoring, and recordkeeping, but they do not currently set PFAS pollutant limits. That is one reason Connecticut moved ahead with state-level restrictions.
What this means for buyers is that Connecticut now restricts the use, sale, or offer for sale of biosolids or wastewater-sludge materials as soil amendments when they contain PFAS, and it also restricts fertilizer products intended for land application, when they contain biosolids or wastewater sludge that contain PFAS.
What to look for on fertilizer, compost, and blend labels
PFAS can reach soils through products made with municipal wastewater residuals. On labels, look for ‘biosolids’, ‘sewage sludge’, ‘EQ biosolids’, or ‘municipal residuals’.
These terms can appear on fertilizers (granular, pelletized, or liquid), on composts, and in topsoil/soil-conditioner blends. ‘EQ’ means the product meets federal pathogen and metals criteria under EPA Part 503. However, Part 503 does not currently set PFAS pollutant limits, so ‘EQ’ is not a PFAS-free claim.
Certification Examples:
- The US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program reports nutrients, salts (EC), and stability for composts, but it is not a PFAS certification. Always ask suppliers to identify feedstocks and share any PFAS test data.
- Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed products follow USDA organic rules, which prohibit sewage sludge. OMRI-listed inputs can help buyers avoid sewage-sludge-based materials because sewage sludge is prohibited under USDA organic standards, but OMRI listing should not be treated as a PFAS-free certification.
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When reading labels and spec sheets, start with the ‘derived-from’ or ingredient statement. If a product contains biosolids, sewage sludge, or wastewater sludge, treat it as a high-risk product, and ask the supplier for documentation before purchase or use.
Connecticut’s current restriction specifically applies where those materials contain PFAS. For composts, review the STA data sheet to check EC, nutrient levels, and stability, and avoid high-salt or high-phosphorus materials.
Remember, STA does not certify PFAS-free. Because land-applied biosolids are a major PFAS pathway to agricultural soils, products derived from wastewater solids warrant extra caution, clear feedstock information, and supplier documentation before use.
Lower-risk choices for building soil fertility
- Plant-based composts made from leaves, yard trimmings, and other clearly identified clean feedstocks;
- Composts or fertilizers from animal-based sources, such as manure-based materials, when the supplier can document that biosolids are not part of the blend;
- Mineral fertilizers used to correct specific nutrient deficiencies based on soil test results;
- Raised-bed or landscape mixes built from known ingredients such as screened topsoil, plant-based compost, peat, coir, and targeted mineral amendments where needed;
None of these options automatically guarantees that PFAS are absent, but transparent sourcing and known feedstocks usually put buyers in a much stronger position than products derived from wastewater solids.
A Practical Buyer's Checklist
Before buying or applying a product:
- Read the ingredients or ‘derived-from’ statement;
- Avoid products that list biosolids, sewage sludge, wastewater sludge, or similar wastewater-derived materials;
- Ask the supplier to confirm feedstocks if the label is vague;
- For compost, request the technical data sheet and recent test information;
- For organic systems, look for OMRI Listed materials, but still review the feedstock description;
- Keep receipts, labels, lot numbers, and application records;
- Base nutrient additions on a recent soil test so that you apply only what is needed;
- Remember that product inputs are only one possible PFAS pathway into soils. Site history, including past flooding or fill contents and irrigation water may also be sources of PFAS.
A few quick FAQs
Do routine soil fertility tests measure PFAS?
No. Routine soil nutrient testing does not include PFAS. Specialized testing is required for PFAS analysis.
Is PFAS soil testing available in Connecticut?
Yes. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station provides free PFAS analysis for soil from Connecticut farms. Samples for PFAS analysis must be collected using a CAES-provided sampling kit and submitted according to CAES instructions to reduce contamination risk.
What if I already have a product that may contain biosolids?
Do not dump it onto soil, down a drain, or into a storm inlet. Keep the product in its original container, if possible, and check the current disposal guidance before acting.
Connecticut DEEP, in its PFAS Information for Environmental Professionals, notes that the state currently lacks authorized facilities for treating or disposing of PFAS-contaminated waste.
Homeowners should contact their local or regional household hazardous waste program first, to confirm what materials are accepted and what instructions apply.
Farms and businesses should contact DEEP or a qualified waste contractor for current guidance. The DEEP Hazardous Waste Home Page is a starting point for all Connecticut residents.
What about compost from a town or commercial source?
Ask exactly what went into it. Products made from leaves, brush, grass, clean wood residues, and other clearly identified feedstocks are generally easier to evaluate than products derived from wastewater solids.
Where to get help
- For questions about Connecticut PFAS policy and environmental guidance, start with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection PFAS portal;
- For farm PFAS soil testing, contact the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station;
- For drinking water guidelines and private well questions, consult Connecticut DPH guidance on PFAS webpage and DEEP’s PFAS Information for Private Well Owners webpage;
- For soil nutrient management and routine soil fertility testing, contact the UConn Soil and Nutrient Analysis Laboratory.
Conclusion
Connecticut law restricts the sale and use—as soil amendments and fertilizer products—of biosolids or wastewater sludge that contain PFAS.
Because the rules are evolving, buyers should continue to review labels, request feedstock information when needed, and check current Connecticut guidance, before making compliance decisions.
With a little label reading and a few ingredient swaps, you can continue to build healthy soil while staying compliant with regulations.