Independent testing commissioned by the Food Rights Network [3] found toxic contaminants [4] in San Francisco's sewage sludge "compost." In the sludge product given away free to gardeners from 2007 to March 4, 2010, are contaminants with endocrine-disruptive properties including PBDE [5] flame retardants, nonylphenol [6] detergent breakdown products, and the antibacterial agent triclosan [7]. The independent tests were conducted for the Food Rights Network by Dr. Robert C. Hale [8] of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences.

Watch a CBS 5 KPIX August 10, 2010 report [9] providing a startling story of how San Francisco is violating its own precautionary principle [10] law by dumping toxic sludge on city gardens.