The Galey & Lord textile mill in Society Hill, South Carolina, has left a legacy of contamination affecting local farmland. Once hailed as a provider of free fertilizer, the sludge from the mill has now been identified as a source of harmful PFAS chemicals, prompting state officials to push for a federal cleanup designation.
Toxic Legacy: South Carolina's Farmland Faces Superfund Status

Toxic Legacy: South Carolina's Farmland Faces Superfund Status
South Carolina is advocating for nearly 10,000 acres of farmland to be designated as a Superfund site due to contamination from "forever chemicals" linked to a former textile mill.
The Galey & Lord textile mill, now abandoned, casts a dark shadow over Society Hill, South Carolina, a region once celebrated for its vibrant agricultural landscape. The mill, known historically as the “King of Khaki,” is now a site of environmental concern as just under 10,000 acres of farmland surrounding it show alarming levels of PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” These contaminants, linked to various severe health risks, have made their way into local food supplies — a concerning revelation for the farmers who relied on the mill's sewage sludge as free fertilizer for decades.
After years of allegations and various testing results that confirm this serious contamination, South Carolina is taking action. The state is advocating for the farmland to become a designated Superfund cleanup site as part of an unprecedented federal effort to address the pollution stemming from the Galey & Lord facility. The site initially became a Superfund site three years ago and this new push would mark the first known instance of farmland being similarly designated due to sludge fertilizer misuse.
One affected farmer, Robert O’Neal, recounted the unexpected betrayal of trust. For years, he utilized the sludge to enhance his soy, corn, and wheat crops—believing it was a beneficial practice. Now, the very soil that nurtured countless harvests is tainted, leaving farmers and their communities grappling with the implications of their choices. As officials weigh the ramifications, the potential contamination and public health crisis elongate a story that began with the promise of agricultural prosperity.