North Carolina intensifies research efforts on PFAS contamination in Cape Fear River Basin, bolstered by a $3 million investment and cutting-edge mass spectrometry tools.
Will Atwater reports for North Carolina Health News.
In short:
- A $3 million investment by the N.C. General Assembly enables academic researchers to acquire advanced instruments for PFAS research.
- This research is crucial due to the widespread presence of PFAS, associated with numerous health risks and persistent environmental contamination.
- While scientific efforts to understand and mitigate PFAS effects advance, regulatory actions remain a significant point of contention.
Key quote:
“Between 1995 and 2018, the Sampson County Landfill imported millions of tons of sludge from DuPont and then Chemours. The sludge is likely to have contained massive quantities of PFAS, which would explain the shockingly high concentrations of PFAS compounds in the landfill’s leachate.”
— Maia Hutt, SELC staff attorney
Why this matters:
PFAS contamination has been detected in water systems across the United States and globally, affecting communities, wildlife, and ecosystems. The challenge in detection and removal stems from their chemical stability and widespread use.
A multi-part investigation found PFAS contamination ubiquitous in consumer products. Here's what you can do about it.
