PFAS in Agricultural Soil: Risks for Land Redevelopment

Understanding PFAS Risks Associated with Redeveloping Agricultural Land

Agricultural properties are often considered “low risk” from an environmental perspective. There are no factories, no disposal areas, no obvious industrial sources. However, when it comes to PFAS in agricultural soil, that assumption can quickly unravel—at a significant cost—once development begins.

Key Takeaways

• Agricultural land can contain PFAS due to historical use of pesticides, herbicides, and soil amendments.
• PFAS impacts are often discovered late in redevelopment, creating potential delays and added costs.
• Managing PFAS-impacted soils requires risk-based strategies to balance safety, constructability, and cost.
• Site-specific risk assessments can help avoid unnecessary disposal and support safe soil reuse.

Why PFAS Is Found in Agricultural Soils

Certain crops have historically relied on pesticides, herbicides, and soil amendments—including biosolids—all of which are now known to contain PFAS compounds. Decades later, those compounds can persist in surface soils at concentrations that raise concern during redevelopment, particularly when projects involve extensive earthwork.

PFAS Risks During Agricultural Land Redevelopment

When PFAS impacts are identified, careful management of affected surface soils is required to protect workers, the public, and future site users. In response, project teams implement risk-based strategies that include selectively removing impacted soil materials off-site or berming and managing soils within designated areas on-site. Management of PFAS-impacted dewatering fluids can also be of concern, and costs and risks can be mitigated with proper planning. These approaches balance constructability and cost while protecting human health.

Experience on several redevelopment projects has shown that historical agricultural use can be a key contributor to PFAS impacts. Given the heightened sensitivity surrounding PFAS, Langan encourages robust due diligence, pre-planning, and advocacy prior to redevelopment. The team also provides full-time construction oversight and air monitoring during soil handling to confirm compliance with regulatory expectations and worker-safety requirements.

The Role of Risk Assessment in PFAS Soil Management

In one case, challenges arose when clean fill could not be sourced; instead, low levels of PFAS were present in nearly every potential import source due to their ubiquity in the environment. Rather than defaulting to costly import or disposal scenarios, Langan’s PFAS experts conducted a site-specific risk assessment to demonstrate that the on-site soils could be safely reused under controlled conditions. This analysis enabled the project to proceed without introducing unnecessary delays or expenses, while still meeting regulatory and health protection objectives.

The takeaway is clear: while agricultural land may appear benign, it can introduce a range of PFAS complications during development. Further, agricultural properties warrant closer scrutiny when pesticides or biosolid-treated soils may be part of the legacy. Early diligence, informed risk evaluation, and practical soil-management strategies can make the difference between a manageable issue and a costly surprise.

PFAS in Agricultural Soil FAQs

Can agricultural land be contaminated with PFAS?

Yes. Agricultural land can be impacted by PFAS due to the historical use of pesticides, herbicides, and biosolids that contain PFAS compounds. These substances can persist in soil for decades, even in areas without obvious industrial activity.

How do PFAS get into soil on farmland?

PFAS can enter farmland soils through the application of treated biosolids, fertilizers, and certain pesticides or herbicides. Over time, these compounds accumulate in surface soils and remain in the environment due to their resistance to degradation.

What are the risks of PFAS during redevelopment?

PFAS can pose risks during redevelopment, particularly during excavation and grading. Impacts may require additional soil management, regulatory coordination, and protective measures for workers and future site users, potentially increasing project costs and timelines.

Can PFAS-contaminated soil be reused on-site?

In some cases, PFAS-impacted soil can be safely reused on-site under controlled conditions. Site-specific risk assessments are typically required to evaluate exposure pathways and confirm that reuse strategies meet regulatory and health protection standards.

Anna Statkiewicz has over 12 years of environmental experience with a primary focus on site characterizations and remediation projects. Located in Langan’s Pittsburgh office, Statkiewicz’s expertise includes due diligence assessments, remedial investigations and designs, vapor intrusion investigations, storage tank removals, and local zoning permits.