Household dust collected near a Chemours chemical facility in North Carolina contains a wide range of PFAS, including newer and phased-out compounds, according to new research.
Shannon Kelleher reports for The New Lede.
In short:
- Researchers analyzed kitchen dust from 65 homes near a Chemours plant and found at least one type of PFAS in every sample, with higher levels closer to the facility.
- GenX, a PFAS substitute linked to kidney damage, and TFA, a byproduct of refrigerants, were each detected in 89% of samples; legacy PFAS like PFOA and PFOS were also widespread.
- The findings raise concerns about indoor exposure, not just through food or water, and suggest the need for follow-up monitoring since Chemours was ordered to cut air emissions in late 2019.
Key quote:
“Our findings demonstrate the need for more rigorous exposure monitoring of dust in homes in PFAS impacted communities and more work to identify sources of ultrashort chain PFAS.”
— Study authors, Environmental Science and Technology
Why this matters:
A growing body of research is shedding light on the underappreciated role of indoor dust in spreading PFAS — synthetic chemicals often referred to as "forever chemicals" for their near-indestructible nature. ATherecent study focusing on communities near the Chemours plant in North Carolina — a facility already under scrutiny for polluting local waterways — highlights just how widespread these contaminants have become.
Related: State sets interim PFAS limits for North Carolina groundwater
