Connecticut is rolling out a new pilot program to research soil contamination levels in farms across the state, aiming to better understand the presence of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) announced the initiative as concerns mount over PFAS toxicity.

Exposure to these substances has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including high cholesterol, immune system suppression, hormone disruptions, thyroid disorders, pregnancy complications and neurodevelopmental effects, according to CAES.

PFAS contamination in soil can leach into groundwater, affecting drinking water supplies and can be absorbed by crops, leading to consumption by humans and animals.

A major source of PFAS in agricultural soils is land-applied biosolids, which originate from wastewater treatment plants and may contain PFAS from household products and industrial waste.

Under the new pilot program, farmers can submit soil samples for free analysis at the Johnson-Horsfall Laboratory at the New Haven CAES campus.

Samples must be collected using a CAES-provided sampling kit and delivered within 48 hours to maintain integrity.

State officials see this effort as a critical first step in identifying contamination levels, which could lead to future regulations to safeguard public health.

Farmers can set an appointment to collect a CAES sampling kit by emailing CAES.PFAStesting@ct.gov.