Rural Missouri Groups Fight Against 'Forever Chemicals' in Meatpacking Waste Fertilizer

Environmental Battle Brews Over Industrial Sludge Practices

A heated environmental dispute has erupted in rural Missouri as advocacy groups and farmers challenge the widespread use of meatpacking waste as agricultural fertilizer. Two grassroots organizations and a local farmer have issued legal threats against several sludge providers and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, citing dangerous levels of PFAS—known as “forever chemicals”—in industrial waste spread across farmland.

5 Key Points

• Two rural advocacy groups and a local farmer filed a legal notice.
• Meatpacking waste sludge contains harmful PFAS chemicals.
• Companies admit to the presence of forever chemicals in fertilizer.
• State regulations allow continued use despite contamination risks.
• The December 12 deadline is set for compliance before court action.

Growing Rural Resistance to Industrial Waste Practices

Distinctively named organizations lead the fight—Stop Land Use Damaging Our Ground and Environment (S.L.U.D.G.E.) and Citizens of Randolph County Against Pollution (C.R.A.P.)—alongside Randolph County farmer Donald Craig. Their concerns extend beyond the immediate nuisance of the waste. “It smells like guts and sh*t,” Craig describes bluntly, but adds that his real worry lies in the long-term environmental impact: “That’s where we get our water from, and I just know it’s not a good thing for our environment.” The mounting opposition reflects a broader trend of rural residents approaching lawyers and state lawmakers in recent months, seeking to halt industrial sludge use as fertilizer, citing both qualities of life concerns and environmental risks.

Corporate Acknowledgment Raises Red Flags

Two major players in the industrial waste management sector—Denali Water Solutions and Synagro—have acknowledged the potential presence of PFAS in their sludge products. However, their responses to the controversy differ markedly. According to documented testimony from a McDonald County Commission meeting, Denali representatives admitted to PFAS content while conducting no testing of their waste materials. When approached for comment about these allegations, Denali declined to respond. Synagro, meanwhile, describes itself as a “passive receiver” of PFAS in its August report, taking a more proactive public stance by announcing partnerships to test PFAS-destroying technology and expanding services to remove contaminants. However, critics argue these measures fail to address the immediate risks posed by ongoing sludge application.

Get a free legal case review today

Did you develop any of the following injuries after being exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? * Choose one Ulcerative Colitis Kidney Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Testicular Cancer Prostate Cancer Bladder Cancer Thyroid Disease Liver Cancer Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma None of the above Were you exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? *

YesNo

Which medication(s) did you take during your pregnancy? * Choose one Tylenol Acetaminophen Alka-Seltzer Coricidin Dayquil Excedrin FluTherapy Midol Mucinex Nyquil Panadol Robitussin Sinex Sudafed Theraflu Other Medication(s) Was your child diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or another condition? * Choose one Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Asperger’s Syndrome Kanner’s Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Other Medical Condition How old was your child at the time of diagnosis? *

Under 18 years old18+ years old

Did the accident occur within the last 2 years? *

YesNo

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

ZIP Code *

Phone Number *

What is your case type? * Choose one -------------------- Asbestos Baby Formula Camp Lejeune Clergy Abuse CPAP Elmiron Exactech Firefighting Foam FTX Exchange Hair Relaxer Hernia Mesh Paraquat PFAS Roundup Sex Abuse Social Media Talcum Powder Tepezza Tylenol -------------------- Birth Injury Car Accident FELA Medical Malpractice Motorcycle Accident Slip and Fall Trucking Accident Uber & Lyft Rideshare Workplace Injury Weight Loss Wrongful Death -------------------- Something Else

Human Verification *

I understand and agree that (a) submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship, (b) I am not already represented by an attorney for this matter, (c) the information I submit will be shared with a law firm, and (d) I have read and accepted the terms and conditions of the Privacy Policy, Terms of Service and Legal Disclaimer. Further, I consent to being contacted by a law firm or its agent after submitting this request.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

State Regulations Under Fire

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources faces mounting criticism for its proposed regulatory approach. Rather than prohibiting PFAS-contaminated sludge application, new regulations would require only twice-yearly soil testing while allowing continued use of contaminated materials within federal limits. The notice of intent to sue explicitly criticizes this approach, stating that “DNR has knowingly allowed, and will apparently continue to allow the preceding companies to land-apply industrial wastes containing PFAS in Missouri.” Environmental advocates argue that this regulatory framework prioritizes industrial convenience over public health and environmental protection, legitimizing the spread of known toxic substances across Missouri farmland.

Health and Environmental Stakes

The consequences of PFAS contamination extend far beyond immediate agricultural concerns, creating a complex web of environmental and health risks. These synthetic substances, historically used in everything from nonstick cookware to waterproof fabrics and firefighting foams, are notorious for their environmental persistence. Their presence in agricultural fertilizer creates multiple exposure pathways through soil absorption, water table contamination, and potential incorporation into food crops. The chemicals’ resistance to breaking down means they can accumulate in the environment over time, potentially creating long-term health risks for rural communities. This accumulation effect is particularly concerning, given PFAS’s association with severe health conditions, including cancer, elevated cholesterol levels, and immune system dysfunction. The stakes are especially high for farming communities that rely on well water and local produce.