Texas Tech takes on ‘forever chemicals’ in farming with $1.6 million EPA grant

Texas Tech University is taking a lead role in addressing a critical challenge facing modern agriculture: PFAS contamination. With a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Texas Tech’s Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering will research ways to reduce the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in farming operations, safeguarding both food safety and public health. This initiative is part of a larger $15 million effort that includes 10 institutions focused on reducing PFAS exposure in agricultural and rural communities.

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” have been widely used since the 1940s in products like food packaging, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant fabrics. Their resistance to environmental breakdown has allowed them to accumulate in the soil, water, and food supply, making their way into farms through sources like contaminated groundwater, fertilizers, and even livestock feed. Once introduced into farming systems, PFAS can affect everything from crop yields to livestock health, posing risks for both producers and consumers.

“PFAS are a growing concern for farmers,” explains Dr. Jennifer Guelfo, associate professor of environmental engineering and lead investigator of the Texas Tech project. “Our goal is to develop solutions that protect both the environment and the livelihoods of those in agriculture.”

The research project, titled “Evaluating and Mitigating Bioaccumulation of PFAS in Plant, Mammalian, and Aquaculture Systems,” will span four years and examine how PFAS accumulate in plants and animals, focusing on ways to prevent and manage contamination. Guelfo’s team will explore various contamination pathways, from biosolid fertilizers to irrigation water, and develop strategies like manure treatment processes to mitigate PFAS before they enter the soil or water supply.

For farmers, this research couldn’t come at a more critical time. With PFAS contamination linked to reduced livestock productivity and compromised crop quality, the economic consequences are significant. “Farmers dealing with PFAS contamination often face devastating decisions, such as euthanizing entire herds or abandoning contaminated fields,” says Guelfo. “Once a farm is impacted, returning to normal operations can be incredibly difficult.”

The research team, which includes experts in environmental chemistry, aquatic toxicology, and engineering, will also conduct lab studies to model PFAS bioavailability in soil and animal systems. By understanding how PFAS move through agricultural environments, the team hopes to develop practical guidelines for farmers, allowing them to reduce contamination risks and adapt to evolving regulatory demands.

Texas Tech’s role in this research is particularly important given its location in a heavily agricultural region. “As an urban center surrounded by farms, Texas Tech is in a unique position to address this issue locally while also contributing to national and international efforts,” Guelfo noted. By collaborating with local agricultural stakeholders, the team ensures that the solutions developed are both scientifically sound and feasible for real-world implementation.