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FAQ: How are PFAS Issues Managed on the Farm?

This article summarizes current knowledge and science on the management of PFAS on farms.

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Updated:

August 25, 2025

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PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that don't break down easily in the environment. While PFAS have been used in many industrial and consumer products for decades, they're only recently being detected globally in the soil, water, wildlife, and even human serum due to current advancements in laboratory testing methods and instruments. They are typically found at trace concentrations; however, some PFAS are known to cause adverse health effects even at these low levels.

PFAS contamination can also exist in agricultural systems, especially in sites impacted by potential PFAS sources, including industrial discharges from wastewater treatment plants or manufacturing sites, landfills, and areas where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was utilized in the past (airports, military training bases, and fire training areas). Farms may also be impacted by PFAS through management activities that can include:

irrigation with PFAS-contaminated water, like treated wastewater effluent or contaminated groundwater (e.g., wells) and surface water sources (e.g., ponds, streams, and lakes), and
land-application of PFAS-contaminated biosolids or wastewater residuals.

PFAS may impact farm systems by: (i) accumulating in soil, (ii) being taken up by crops and vegetation, (iii) contaminating farm water resources used for irrigation, livestock watering, or domestic drinking supply, and (iv) contaminating animal byproducts. In general, the topic of PFAS in agricultural systems is still an emerging issue, and more research is underway to understand how PFAS move through soil, water, and crops, what these pathways mean for animal and human exposure on the farm, and how to develop management strategies to protect farm operations while also safeguarding food and water quality.

The PFAS management recommendations below are based on current knowledge and science available, but guidance may evolve as research continues and we learn more about these chemicals of concern.

Domestic Drinking Water

Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or drinking water safety thresholds have been set for six PFAS by the US EPA. Learn more about current standards at PFAS Drinking Water Standards Testing and Treatment. If your water testing reveals elevated PFAS levels in your drinking water supply, there are water treatment devices that can be used to remove PFAS from water and lower your exposure through drinking water. Research has shown that granular activated carbon (GAC) filters, reverse osmosis (RO), and ion exchange systems can remove PFAS. RO systems are best installed at a point of use, such as a kitchen sink, while GAC filters and ion exchange systems can be installed to treat all water flowing into the home. When shopping, look for filters that are WQA certified, NSF/ANSI 53 certified, and RO systems that are NSF/ANSI 58 certified to reduce PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Learn more about home drinking water treatment for PFAS at Home Water Treatment for PFAS.

Animal Drinking Water

There are currently no federal or state PFAS drinking water safety levels for animal drinking water. Although there is still limited data on animal health impacts from elevated PFAS, research has shown that products such as milk and meat may be impacted by PFAS. Because drinking water is a major PFAS exposure pathway for animals, it is recommended to use treated drinking water when possible. If water treatment is not a practical strategy for the farm, an alternative PFAS-free drinking water source is recommended. Although there are no safety levels for animal drinking water, human drinking water MCLs can be used as a reference in the interim.

Irrigation Water

There are currently no federal or state PFAS safety levels for irrigation water. Given the large volumes of irrigation water that can be used at a farm in one day, water treatment may not be a practical management option. Therefore, switching to a groundwater or surface water source that is not contaminated with PFAS may be the best approach. If changing water sources is not an option, testing soil and edible portions of crops would provide more information about the extent of potential PFAS accumulation. However, research has shown that the dominant uptake pathway into crops in irrigated systems is root uptake, so it is unlikely that irrigation activities will cause any direct impacts on crop quality. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on current PFAS levels in the soil to best understand risk for crop uptake.

Soil

There are currently no federal or state PFAS safety levels for agricultural soil; however, the state of Maine published soil screening levels that can be used as guiding benchmarks. Learn more about the screening levels in FAQ: PFAS Test Results - What Do the Numbers and Acronyms Mean?

There are currently no practical and cost-effective strategies to remediate soils contaminated with PFAS. Research shows that crops have different PFAS uptake rates from soil; for example, hay absorbs PFAS more easily than corn or small grains. One management option is to switch to crops that absorb less PFAS when cultivating on impacted soils. Researchers are also investigating crops that can be planted to remove PFAS in soil through a process called phytoremediation. If animals are grazing on contaminated lots, it is recommended to switch them to non-contaminated lots. Work with local Extension educators or agricultural agencies for guidance if changes are needed.

Forage, Field Crops, and Produce

There are currently no PFAS safety levels for forage, field crops, and produce. Although guidelines are lacking right now, contaminated produce presents a direct human exposure pathway. Forage, field crops, and farm produce can be contaminated through elevated PFAS in soil or irrigation water. Contaminated forage can be addressed by switching to a non-contaminated source or mixing feed with those obtained from non-contaminated sources to lower the overall PFAS exposure levels through feed. Similarly, if you find that farm produce has elevated PFAS, it is recommended to switch cultivation to other plots or use irrigation water that is not contaminated.

Animal Products

There are currently no federal or state PFAS safety levels for animal products; however, the state of Maine published Action Levels for milk, beef, and chicken eggs that can be used as guiding benchmarks. Learn more about the screening levels on the PFAS Test Results - What Do the Numbers Mean fact sheet.

If you determine that milk or meat has elevated PFAS, it is recommended to identify the source of PFAS (i.e., water or feed) and implement management options as discussed. Research shows that animals may be able to rid their bodies of some PFAS in a process called depuration once the PFAS source is eliminated. However, this can take long periods of time and will vary between animal species.