Contaminated Legacy: South Carolina's 10,000 Acres of Farmland in Need of Superfund Protection

In Society Hill, South Carolina, the abandoned Galey & Lord textile mill stands as a ghostly reminder of former prosperity, now decaying and filled with danger. The site's once-thriving operations, recognized for their contributions to American fashion, have left a troubling legacy as environmental officials uncover alarming levels of toxic “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, across nearly 10,000 acres of farmland nearby. Initially promoted as beneficial fertilizer, the sludge byproduct from the mill's manufacturing processes was freely provided to local farmers for decades. However, unbeknownst to these agricultural stakeholders, the sludge was laced with harmful contaminants linked to cancer and serious health issues. Robert O’Neal, a farmer who utilized this sludge in the late 1990s, reflects on the misinformation surrounding its safety, stating that they were told it would enhance crop yield.The striking findings based on testing of the land have now fueled demands for a historic Superfund cleanup designation. If approved, this would be the first instance in which farmland is designated for such extensive remediation due to contamination sourced from what is typically a discarded industrial byproduct. The Galey & Lord mill itself was designated a Superfund site three years earlier, signaling the need to address the long-term repercussions of toxic waste management practices. As community members grapple with the implications of this contamination, the ongoing situation highlights broader concerns surrounding industrial accountability and environmental justice, particularly affecting under-represented rural communities who relied on this land for their livelihoods.