What you can do to prevent PFAS in the garden:
Ask questions of the retailers or brands about the source materials of your composts and other soil amendments. You can also ask if the products have been tested for PFAS and if results can be shared.
Use PFAS-free foodware and containers. NSF verifies that products are compostable and that PFAS are not intentionally introduced during the manufacturing process.
If you have concerns that your soil or water is PFAS contaminated you can send samples to an accredited laboratory for testing. MSU Extension has information about how to test your soil and water for PFAS: www.canr.msu.edu/pfas/home-gardening.
If you live near a known contaminated PFAS site you could use raised beds or containers and fill with purchased soil. If PFAS levels exceed drinking water guidelines consider installing filters before watering your garden.
What our State and Federal policymakers can do:
Prevent PFAS from contaminating consumer products
State policy makers can prevent PFAS at the source by banning PFAS in manufacturing and consumer products and create
incentives to develop PFAS-free materials.
States should set enforceable standards for PFAS in composts, biosolids, and topsoil, and the EPA should set health protective limits
There are currently only nonenforceable EPA guidelines for PFAS in soils and biosolids. In lieu of EPA standards, states should set their own standards.
State legislatures can require that compostable products be PFAS-free and labeled correctly
States can follow the examples of Colorado and California that have laws requiring products labeled as compostable to be
certified and have truthful labeling.