Mary Beth Collins
In a significant move to address growing concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the U.S. food supply, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $3.2 million in research grants to two Texas institutions. Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University will each receive $1.6 million to conduct research to reduce PFAS exposure in agricultural environments. This funding underscores the EPA’s ongoing commitment to protecting people’s health and the environment from the harmful effects of these persistent chemicals, especially in rural areas.
Often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment for long periods of time, PFAS have been used in a variety of products since the 1940s due to their properties of repelling oil and water and resistant to heat. However, their resistance to degradation has raised concerns that they may accumulate in the environment and living organisms, posing potential negative health risks. As these chemicals find their way into soils, water and agricultural systems, understanding their impacts on crops, livestock and the broader food chain has become a key priority.
Research Objective: Addressing PFAS in Agriculture
Texas A&M University in College Station and Texas Tech University in Lubbock will both engage in community-focused research targeting the bioaccumulation of PFAS in agricultural crops and livestock. Their efforts will contribute to growing knowledge about the impacts of PFAS on agricultural land and food production, as well as explore effective strategies to mitigate exposure.
Christopher Frey, Deputy Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development, emphasized the importance of these projects, saying, “Agricultural communities are the lifeblood of our nation. The research supported by these grants will advance knowledge about the impacts of PFAS on agricultural lands and our food supply and help ensure that agricultural communities can continue to survive for years to come.”
Texas A&M University: PFAS Bioaccumulation and Remediation
Texas A&M University will use a $1.6 million grant to focus on remediating contaminated soils and biosolids and to better understand PFAS absorption and accumulation in plants. University researchers aim to develop plant-based biosensors to detect PFAS in biosolids, soil and water. This cutting-edge technology is essential for real-time monitoring of PFAS contamination levels.
In addition to detection, this study will also demonstrate how remediating biosolids can reduce the bioavailability of PFAS to plants. The long-term goal is to provide agricultural communities and decision makers with tools to effectively manage PFAS risks. If successful, this research could be transformative for communities that use biosolids and reclaimed water, improving the safety of agricultural practices in affected areas.
Texas Tech University: Identifying Nontraditional Sources of PFAS
Meanwhile, Texas Tech University will spend $1.6 million to identify unseen sources of PFAS in agricultural activities, such as potential contamination from fertilizers and biosolids pre-application treatments. The research will include laboratory and modeling studies, as well as plant and fish cultivation studies, to investigate how plants and animals absorb PFAS through various exposure pathways.
The research team will investigate how soil type and biosolids amendments affect the partitioning and bioavailability of PFAS in crops, and how PFAS contamination affects aquatic organisms through diet and water exposure. Texas Tech research findings may lead to the development of targeted management strategies to mitigate PFAS exposure in various agricultural environments.
The Urgency of Addressing PFAS in Agriculture
PFAS are of increasing concern to the agricultural community because of their potential to persist in the environment and contaminate the food chain. The chemicals are bioaccumulative, meaning that small but high concentrations in soil, water and livestock can eventually lead to elevated contamination levels in crops and human populations.
While PFAS contamination continues to be a challenge to environmental safety, these research initiatives are providing important data and insights. Results will inform future policies and agricultural practices, enabling farmers and food producers to protect their operations and the communities they serve.
EPA’s commitment to fund this research is an important step toward a more sustainable agricultural future where the agricultural community can better address the challenges posed by contaminants such as PFAS.