Quebec will propose preventive thresholds to regulate PFAS in biosolids

A few days ago, the Quebec government announced its intention to impose preventive thresholds to limit the concentrations of PFAS in biosolids recycled in agriculture. It thus intends to remain at the forefront in the field of monitoring contaminants of emerging interest. Viridis supports this approach, which is in line with the proposals we have been making for several months already.

Thus, the precautionary approach put forward by the government would consist in establishing thresholds in levels in order to:

1. Avoid recycling materials that exceed the maximum threshold in agriculture. According to the results of analyses available to date, no material distributed by Viridis would fall into this category. Analyses will continue as sampling and analysis protocols, as well as laboratory detection capabilities, are refined.
2. Then trigger additional investigations in order to trace the source for materials which, without exceeding the recommendations based on the protection of human health and aquatic life, would present concentrations higher than normal. In addition to investigations to target the sources of exposure, specific application conditions for these materials could also be added at the end of the consultations.

The government proposal will soon be submitted to a targeted consultation in collaboration with Réseau-Environnement in order to hear from scientists, agronomists, farmers, laboratories, and other key players in the recycling of fertilising residual materials (MRF). The involvement of Viridis within Réseau-Environnement and with the ministry's advisory committee will support the definition of new standards and mitigation measures in order to support recycling activities that maximize benefits while rigorously managing risks.

In this sense, the invitation of Sophie St-Louis, our senior director in quality control and regulatory framework, as a panelist on the subject at the recent annual conference of the Ordre des agronomes du Québec, testifies to Viridis' commitment to finding responsible and effective solutions to emerging issues.

Recall that these perfluorinated substances, used for their great stability and better known by their English acronym PFAS, are present in many everyday products such as waterproof, stain-resistant or flame-resistant materials, food packaging, cosmetics and several personal hygiene products. They are now omnipresent in the environment: they are found in particular in the air, in drinking water and in rainwater.

To learn more about the subject, check out our information page on the recycling of fertilising residual materials.

The full government statement:

Preventive actions to control the presence of contaminants in biosolids

QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 20, 2023 /CNW/ — Building on its expertise in the field of agricultural biosolid recycling, the Government of Quebec announces its intention to impose a preventive threshold to reduce the risks associated with the presence of contaminants of emerging interest in sludge. This initiative will allow Quebec to maintain its position as a world leader in safety management in this field.

This was announced today by the Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, Mr. Benoit Charette, at the annual conference of the Ordre des agronomes du Québec.

Note that these thresholds will be submitted to specialists in the field during a targeted consultation, with a proposal of maximum thresholds to preventively reduce the presence of contaminants of emerging interest, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which may be contained in fertilising residual materials (MRF).

The threshold proposal is based on a method based on two complementary approaches:

• A precautionary and precautionary approach based on three indicators, one to assess the overall concentration of PFAS and two to measure the most monitored compounds in the world, namely perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS);
• A stepwise approach that would be based on three thresholds that:

• • • Are incentives to more effectively identify the sources of releases of these substances into the environment and to reduce overall exposure;
    • Would depend on PFAS concentrations for the application of specific application conditions, including a maximum concentration sum of 10 PFAS, which would be a first in North America;
    • Have been designed to take into account the “eternal” nature of PFAS, according to the method currently applied for other persistent contaminants in the environment.

Among the specialists who are invited to participate in the targeted consultation, note the committee on the use of biosolids in agriculture set up with the collaboration of Réseau Environnement in the wake of the moratorium last March.

Quotes:

Quebec is among the world leaders in terms of security management in this field, and we intend to remain so despite the challenge posed by emerging compounds of interest. The proposal we are submitting to specialists for consultation is one of the most ambitious in the world. This is another strong action by our government to properly manage the omnipresence of these substances in our environment and ensure the health and safety of citizens.

Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region

It is essential that our decisions be guided by the latest knowledge on contaminants of emerging interest and a rigorous risk management approach. Quebec is rich in the expertise of numerous actors, such as that of agronomists, who are at the heart of the implementation of best practices for the sustainable fertilization of our crops. I thank everyone involved in the work of the Committee and those who will be taking part in the next steps to finalize the proposed thresholds for a new regulatory framework.

André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region

After participating in the establishment of the committee on the use of biosolids in Quebec, Réseau Environnement continues to be the voice of specialists in the management of residual materials, water and soils. Our association is committed to continuing its work so that the threshold proposal submitted today meets the highest technical and scientific standards in order to protect natural environments and human health. The new regulations that will result will offer Quebec the opportunity to consolidate the global reference status of its biosolids recycling industry, a circular economy model.”

Mathieu Laneuville, President and CEO of Réseau Environnement

The Ordre des agronomes du Québec welcomes the intention to impose a preventive threshold to reduce the risks associated with the presence of contaminants of emerging interest in municipal biosolids in the context of agricultural application. The importance and benefits of the valorization of MRFs in Quebec no longer need to be proven. In order to continue to benefit from these benefits while ensuring the protection of the public, it is essential to use the latest knowledge on contaminants of emerging interest and a rigorous approach to risk management. We support the holding of a targeted consultation of specialists in the field with a proposal of maximum thresholds, and we intend to participate by contributing to it in accordance with our mission.

Martine Giguère, president of the Ordre des agronomes du Québec

Highlights:

• Biosolids result from the treatment of municipal wastewater. This sewage sludge is composed largely of organic matter containing nutrients necessary for agricultural crops. Biosolids can therefore be recycled for agricultural purposes as fertilising residual materials. To do this, in Quebec, they must meet strict quality criteria that are among the most stringent in the world.
• SPFAs are used in the manufacture of several consumer goods for their waterproofing and stain-resistant properties. Some are persistent in the environment. They are found in low concentrations in waters around the world, but detecting them does not necessarily mean a risk to the environment or human health. For the past ten years, the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks has been monitoring these substances in Quebec waters. The maximum concentrations measured to date are below the values currently recommended by Health Canada for drinking water by Health Canada.
• Last March, given the rise of concerns related to PFAS contained in biosolids generated outside Canada and imported here, the Government of Quebec established a moratorium, which will remain in force until a control mechanism for certain substances is put in place in order to ensure that imported MRFs present a safe threshold for the environment.
• The objective of the committee set up with Réseau Environnement is to collaborate in the development of acceptable levels of PFAS in biosolids in Quebec. Its mandate is also to inform the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks of the operational challenges encountered by the sector and to feed its reflections in the evolution of the regulatory framework in this field. It also includes representatives of professional associations of chemists and veterinarians, municipal, agricultural and industrial communities, as well as scientists and companies specializing in the field.
• Like any regulation, the PFAS thresholds that are the subject of this announcement will be submitted, following the work and special consultations underway with specialists, to a public consultation, which should take place in 2024 as part of the usual regulatory process in Quebec.

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