Farmers who spread biosolid fertilizer on their fields are not the target of EPA regulators who have just designated Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as hazardous substances. These PFAs are linked to cancer, immune and developmental issues and other health impacts. The move is meant to hold polluters accountable for the cost of removing so-called PFAs from the environment. These chemicals, which can enter farms through the spreading of biosolid fertilizer, will now fall under the EPA’s Superfund Authority.

Under the new rule, releases of the PFOA or PFOS that meet or exceed one pound per 24-hour period will have to be immediately reported to the agency’s National Response Center or a related state or tribal agency.

Agricultural groups express concern that the current rules don’t provide enough safeguards for farmers who unknowingly spread PFAs.

Read more about the new EPA regulations here.