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Qatari Foreign Ministry: "Israel" should have already ceased fire under Trump plan for Gaza
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Release of Israeli captives will mark end of war in Gaza in accordance with Trump plan.
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside

20 mln acres of US crops may have been polluted by forever chemicals

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 May 2022 15:53
  • 2 Shares
1 Min Read

A report estimates that 20 million acres of US cropland may be contaminated by chemical-tainted sewage used as fertilizer.

  • x
  • Over 19 billion pounds of sludge have been used as fertilizer since 2016
    Over 19 billion pounds of sludge have been used as fertilizer since 2016

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of about 9,000 compounds used to make products heat-, water- or stain-resistant. They are known as "forever chemicals" that are linked to cancer, thyroid disruption, liver problems, birth defects, and more.

Since they don't naturally break down, these chemicals contaminate cropland when they're mixed with sewage sludge. Sludge is a byproduct of treating wastewater and is a mix of human excrement and industrial waste discharged from industrial pipes.

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Records from the Environmental Protection Agency show that over 19 billion pounds of sludge have been used as fertilizer since 2016 in the US, and it's estimated that 60% of US sludge is spread on cropland.

These chemicals end up in crops, cattle, water and humans, and the public health toll is unknown. Some PFAS-tainted fields in Maine have had their farms completely shut down.

Advocates say that the health cost of using sludge outweighs the benefits, with sludge being linked to public health problems, contaminated beef, and contaminated drinking water.

  • United States
  • chemical waste
  • US
  • Agriculture
  • Pollution

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