In an unprecedented move highlighting the growing crisis of chemical contamination in America's heartland, Johnson County, Texas, has declared a state of disaster after discovering dangerous levels of toxic "forever chemicals" in its agricultural land, water supplies, and livestock.

The county commissioners passed a resolution this week urging Governor Greg Abbott to declare an emergency, which would open the door for federal assistance to affected residents. The crisis stems from the use of biosolids – treated sewage sludge used as fertilizer – contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

According to recent tests, "exceptionally high levels of 'forever chemicals'" have been discovered in soil, water, and dead animals throughout the county, devastating local farming operations and raising serious public health concerns.

"Ranchers in Johnson County are innocent victims of EPA's failure to act to address this growing catastrophe," said Kyla Bennett, Science Policy Advisor at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), who is representing the county and several ranchers in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The lawsuit comes at a critical time, as the EPA recently released its Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment in January 2025, addressing the risks of PFAS in biosolids. However, the agency currently has no authority to regulate contaminants like PFAS in biosolids, creating a regulatory vacuum that has left communities vulnerable.

The crisis has sparked legislative action, with Texas lawmakers considering a measure to prohibit land application of biosolids with high PFAS levels. The proposed bill would require companies to test fertilizer made from sewage sludge for PFAS and meet specific limits before selling them to Texas farmers and ranchers.

Laura Dumais, PEER Staff Counsel leading the litigation, emphasizes that while securing compensation for affected residents is crucial, the ultimate solution requires EPA to take responsibility for regulating PFAS in sewage sludge fertilizer.

The situation in Johnson County serves as a warning about the widespread use of contaminated biosolids across the country. With millions of tons of sewage sludge being applied as fertilizer nationwide, the crisis could be just the tip of a much larger environmental and public health emergency.

For residents of Johnson County, the wait for federal assistance continues as local officials work to address what they describe as an unprecedented environmental disaster threatening their community's agricultural heritage and economic future.