OFA comments on the interim limit proposed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for municipal biosolids imported or sold in Canada as fertilizers.
OFA supports setting clear rules and procedures that are based in scientific evidence to limit exposure to this group of chemicals. While we generally support establishing a limit for biosolids sold or imported to Canada as commercial fertilizer intended for use in agriculture, OFA is concerned that further investigation is required to ensure the proposed limit is evidence-based, measurable and effective.
OFA recommends that the federal government allocate resources to develop appropriate, accessible laboratory methodologies to effectively detect PFOS and other PFAS chemicals. In addition, resources need to be allocated to further develop the risk assessment to better quantify and understand the impacts of PFAS in land applied biosolids and the effectiveness of a quantified limit.
OFA also notes that a sensible approach to limiting PFAS concentrations should start at the source.