A whistleblower inside the UK Environment Agency says government and regulators have allowed toxic sewage sludge to be spread on farmland for decades, ignoring health and environmental risks.

Rachel Salvidge reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• UK rules only require sewage sludge to be tested for a few heavy metals, leaving PFAS, flame retardants, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other toxic chemicals unregulated.
• An internal 2017 study that found hazardous contaminants in sludge was allegedly suppressed by the Environment Agency until forced into the open through freedom of information laws.
• Campaigners and experts accuse the government of prioritizing industry profits and water company influence over soil, water, and public health protections.

Key quote:

“The sludge regime is still being run under guidance created by the water companies. And when the Environment Agency finally funded research that uncovered real dangers, they buried it.” — Environment Agency insider

Why this matters:

Sewage sludge is touted as an eco-friendly fertilizer, but it often carries a hidden load of industrial and household pollutants. When spread on farmland, these contaminants can leach into crops, soil, and waterways. The lack of oversight means substances like PFAS, known for their persistence and links to cancer and hormone disruption, are entering the food chain without regulation or public knowledge. With the UK relying on sludge to cut disposal costs and meet recycling targets, the regulatory blind spot puts environmental and public health at risk. Contaminated sludge moves from sewers to soil to food, exposing people and ecosystems to a toxic legacy.