FOOD & AGRICULTURE QUARTERLY | JUNE 2026
PFAS in streams within agricultural watersheds, demonstrating that contamination is not confined to isolated sites but can propagate across entire regions. In fact, the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule of the U. S. EPA details 3,539 sites across the United States. This hydrological mobility creates a feedback loop in which contaminated water irrigates crops and communities, while runoff spreads the chemicals further.
PFAS contamination of soil health further compounds the problem, directly affecting crop production. Studies show that PFAS introduced through biosolids can persist in soil for years while still being absorbed by plants. Even at low concentrations, PFAS can be taken up by crops, reducing food safety and market viability. For farmers, this can render land economically unusable and create long-term liability concerns. Moreover, it can generally undermine the integrity of agricultural land as a productive asset, transforming soil into a long-term reservoir of contamination.
The entry of PFAS into the food supply is the culmination of these interconnected pathways. Contaminated soil, water, and livestock all contribute to the presence of PFAS in food products, including meat, dairy, and vegetables consumed by the public. Once in the food system, PFAS exposure extends beyond farming communities to the general population, effectively transforming an environmental contamination issue into a widespread public health concern.
In sum, PFAS contamination is ubiquitous, affecting croplands, humans, animals, waste streams on multiple levels, soil, and our food supply. Its persistence and mobility make it uniquely difficult to manage, while its bioaccumulative nature ensures that its impacts compound over time. Small farmers often lack the resources to test and remediate contamination, while large corporate farms face regulatory and financial risks at scale. While Congress and the Department of Defense continue to address PFAS with regard to military bases – which is a good start – much still needs to be done to address PFAS on agricultural land. This will require coordinated regulatory action, scientific innovation in remediation, and direct support for affected farmers. This starts with your voice.
Adam is a federal lobbyist and regulatory strategist who advises companies on navigating complex, high-stakes matters. He can be reached at 202.778.3037 or awilczewski @ porterwright. com.
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