Levels of PFAS in sewage sludge used as fertilizer can pose risks that sometimes exceed safety thresholds “by several orders of magnitude,” the agency said.

Chemicals found in sewage sludge that some farmers use to fertilize fields and pastures can pose a threat to human and animal health, the US Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.

The fertilizer is often used to treat fields on farms, posing a particular risk to those who regularly consume beef and milk.

The E.P.A.’s report follows a growing body of research that has found that sludge can be contaminated with human-made “forever chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are used in a wide range of household items such as nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing and stain-resistant carpets.

For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday warned that "forever chemicals" present in sewage sludge that is used as fertilizer can pose human health risks.

The use of treated sewage sludge as fertilizer on farms can pose a health risk to residents and consumers because of the presence of "forever chemicals" that break down slowly, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Tuesday.

When people eat or drink foods containing “forever” chemicals, the compounds accumulate in the body and can cause kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer.

The use of treated sewage sludge as fertilizer on farms can pose a health risk to residents and consumers because of the presence of “forever chemicals” that break down slowly, the Environmental Protection Agency said today.