{"hq_id":"hq-p-out-000047","name":"Garden Soil and Compost (Municipal and Commercial)","category":{"primary":"outdoor","secondary":"gardening","tags":["garden soil","compost","PFAS","biosolids","heavy metals","sewage sludge"]},"product_tier":"OUT","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Commercially available garden soil, compost, and soil amendments that may contain municipal biosolids (treated sewage sludge). Biosolids concentrate PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics from wastewater. EPA permits biosolid application to agricultural land and garden soil. PFAS in biosolid-amended soil persists indefinitely and uptakes into vegetables.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.867,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"children (soil ingestion), home gardeners growing food","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["PFAS contamination from biosolids — persistent, bioaccumulative","Heavy metals (lead, cadmium) concentrated in biosolids","Vegetable uptake of PFAS from contaminated garden soil"],"exposure_routes":"Dermal contact during gardening; oral ingestion of contaminated vegetables; children's soil ingestion"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","oral"],"contact_types":["skin_brief","oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"weekly","scenarios":["Handling soil during garden planting (dermal, hours)","Children playing in garden soil (hand-to-mouth)","Growing food in PFAS-contaminated soil (vegetable uptake)","Inhaling dust from dry soil amendments"],"notes":"Maine banned PFAS-contaminated biosolids from agricultural use in 2022 after multiple farm shutdowns. PFAS concentrations in biosolid-amended soil range from 2-500 ppb. Leafy greens uptake more PFAS than fruiting vegetables."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Ask suppliers if soil/compost contains biosolids. Choose 'biosolid-free' or 'sludge-free' labeled products. Test garden soil for heavy metals before growing food. Wash all garden produce thoroughly.","safer_alternatives":["Biosolid-free compost from known plant-waste sources","Home composting from kitchen and yard waste only","Raised bed gardens with known-source soil","OMRI-listed organic compost"],"alternatives":[{"name":"Biosolid-free compost from known plant-waste sources","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"},{"name":"Home composting from kitchen and yard waste only","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"},{"name":"Raised bed gardens with known-source soil","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"},{"name":"OMRI-listed organic compost","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"}],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Product used in enclosed or poorly ventilated space","meaning":"Chemical exposure concentrations increase dramatically in enclosed spaces.","action":"Use only in well-ventilated outdoor areas as intended."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party safety certification visible on packaging","meaning":"Product has been independently tested to applicable safety standards.","verification":"Look for certification logos (CPSIA, ASTM, EN, NSF, UL, OEKO-TEX)."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What materials is this product made from?","why_it_matters":"Material composition determines chemical exposure potential.","good_answer":"Full material disclosure with known safe materials.","bad_answer":"No material information or unspecified."}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA FIFRA / TSCA (as applicable)","citation":null,"requirements":"Pesticide registration under FIFRA. Chemical substances under TSCA.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":null,"requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require warnings.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OEHHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Compost is already end-of-life product. PFAS-contaminated soil may require special handling.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"single_use"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000020","name":"PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)","role":"biosolid_contaminant","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000001","name":"Lead (Pb)","role":"biosolid_contaminant","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000005","name":"Cadmium","role":"biosolid_contaminant","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000020","compound_name":null,"role":"biosolid_contaminant","typical_concentration":"trace-500 ppb"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000001","compound_name":null,"role":"biosolid_contaminant","typical_concentration":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000005","compound_name":null,"role":"biosolid_contaminant","typical_concentration":"trace"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["garden soil and compost (municipal and commercial)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Miracle-Gro","manufacturer":"ScottsMiracle-Gro","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Market-leading garden soil"},{"brand":"Black Gold","manufacturer":"Sun Gro Horticulture","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Organic potting soil"},{"brand":"FoxFarm","manufacturer":"FoxFarm","market_position":"premium","notable":"Premium garden soil mixes"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA FIFRA / TSCA (as applicable)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_70a4d79c"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California Proposition 65","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","id":"src_fe1d5adc"},{"id":"iarc_135","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 135: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000020"},{"id":"epa_pfoa_2024","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation; PFOA MCL 4 ppt, MCLG zero","year":2024,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000020"},{"id":"src_001","type":"cdc","title":"CDC - Lead Poisoning Prevention","url":"https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/","accessed":"2026-01-13","relevance":"Blood lead reference values, no safe level doctrine","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000001"},{"id":"src_002","type":"who","title":"WHO - Lead Poisoning Fact Sheet","url":"https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health","year":2024,"accessed":"2026-01-13","relevance":"Global burden statistics, health effects","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000001"},{"id":"iarc_100c_cd","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100C: Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000005"},{"id":"epa_cd_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Cadmium","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000005"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_defdd418","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-01T14:21:41.773Z"}}