In brief
Fort Worth, Texas, has officially terminated its agreement with the fertilizer company Synagro, a firm backed by Goldman Sachs, following alarming discoveries regarding “forever chemicals” present in their product derived from sewage sludge. The decision arises as local ranchers recount serious health issues impacting their livestock and crops, which they attribute to the contaminated fertilizer. This month, Fort Worth also initiated legal action against several manufacturers responsible for introducing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment, targeting the companies for poisoning the city's water system.
Reports emerged last year detailing a lawsuit from ranchers in neighboring Johnson County, who claimed that the sludge fertilizer supplied by Synagro polluted their agricultural land and livestock. Fort Worth had previously contracted Synagro to handle sewage from its treatment facility, refining it before distributing it as fertilizer to regional farmers. Compounding matters, Johnson County has now launched a criminal investigation into Synagro's practices. Research increasingly indicates that sewage sludge often harbors PFAS, synthetic compounds prevalent in numerous household products like nonstick pans and stain-resistant fabrics, raising serious concerns about the health risks associated with its widespread agricultural use.
