'How long?': Cumberland, Bladen seek relief from PFAs pollutants (2024)

Roberta Waddle

Updated ·4 min read

In July, the NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) did not take any action on PFAS regulations for the third time. It will be at least September before they decide to set restrictions for some PFAS chemicals. They can wait six months to decide to move ahead, or not, with regulations on PFAS pollution. How long must the people of Southeast North Carolina and Gray’s Creek where I live wait for relief from this 50-year pollution?

PFAS is a family of forever chemicals produced in our area by Chemours/DuPont in a facility located on the Cumberland-Bladen county line. PFAS is a family of chemicals for which there is no known safe amount to ingest or to have in your body.

More: Pitts: EPA head Michael Regan returns to NC, announces new standards for 'forever chemicals'

'How long?': Cumberland, Bladen seek relief from PFAs pollutants (1)

Chemours polluted the Cape Fear River

For many years DuPont/Chemours discharged these chemicals into the Cape Fear River polluting the water all the way to Wilmington and the ocean. In addition, Chemours incinerated waste from the plant and released pollutants into the air. These pollutants rode the prevailing winds northward and deposited PFAS over a good portion of the land in Cumberland, Bladen and Sampson counties. I do realize that as reported in The Fayetteville Observer, some wells in Spring Lake area have also been contaminated because fire-fighting foam used by the army contains PFAS.

More: Pitts: PWC, Cumberland County to bring water to Gray's Creek in move that will affect 75,000

My husband and I live on a small patch of land, and we like to grow some of our own food in a garden and from fruit trees. That is no longer an option because studies have shown that plants become contaminated as they take up PFAS with their water.

What PFAS did to our plants and small pond with catfish

My husband has a small pond with catfish in it. We now have 10-pound catfish that we cannot eat because they are contaminated with PFAS. Fruit from our trees is contaminated with PFAS. If we make a compost pile, we cannot use the compost because it is contaminated. Grass that we might grow for our birds is contaminated and cannot be used. When will we be able to use our land? We don’t know. There is a reason these are called ‘forever’ chemicals, because they do not decompose quickly.

Chemours has signed an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) agreeing to eliminate most of the air pollution. Although Chemours agreed to drastically reduce its emissions, it has been fined for exceeding the agreement. To some extent, it is still releasing these chemicals. The groundwater and the soil of the area are now impregnated with these ‘forever’ chemicals with no idea of how to get rid of them.

People with wells may get some relief from Chemours, depending on the level of pollution in their water. That does give some relief for drinking water, cooking, showering and the like. However, it does nothing for the soil. It does nothing for the cattle pastured on the land or the produce grown on it that are sold for human consumption. It does not make us whole.

'How long?': Cumberland, Bladen seek relief from PFAs pollutants (2)

There are health concerns in Gray's Creek and beyond

This pollution, that was exposed in 2017, has been going on for longer than the 35 years we have lived in Gray’s Creek. There are health concerns. Research has shown that several health effects may be associated with PFAS contamination. That includes reproductive problems, certain cancers, thyroid problems and kidney disease among others. There is no program to monitor the health effects of PFAS on Gray’s Creeks residents so we will never know how far reaching or serious the effects are.

In addition to delaying setting restrictions on PFAS levels, the EMC is considering monitoring only three of the eight the DNR recommends. (There are hundreds of variations on PFAS chemicals all of which are probably toxic but only a few are monitored.)

Chemours may never be held accountable for what it did to peoples' land

I am devastated that Chemours has taken the value and use of our land and may never be held accountable for it.

I don’t know the solution to the ground pollution in our area, but I believe that before any company releases a by-product from their company, it should show that it would not cause harm to its neighbors, near and far.

Roberta Waddle lives in Gray's Creek.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Residents in Cumberland, Bladen need new state PFAs restrictions now

'How long?': Cumberland, Bladen seek relief from PFAs pollutants (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get rid of PFAS? ›

Some forms of PFAS can take over 1000 years to degrade. This persistence is why the actions we take today have such a huge effect on the state of our world tomorrow.

Are NC public drinking water systems contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals? ›

Drinking water for at least 2.5 million North Carolinians is contaminated with the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS at levels exceeding new federal standards, according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group.

Where are PFAS in North Carolina? ›

With decades of exposure to industrial sources of forever chemicals, the bodies of Lower Cape Fear region residents are polluted by PFAS at two times the levels of the general U.S. population, according to a North Carolina State University study . The specific chemicals included PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS.

Are PFAS forever chemicals? ›

Because they break down very slowly, PFAS are commonly called “forever chemicals.” Their persistence in the environment and prevalence across the country make them a unique water-quality concern.

Can you flush PFAS out of your body? ›

Currently, there are no definitive medical procedures that can clear PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from the body, according to the Secretary of the United States Navy. However, the best step you can take is to remove the source of the exposure from your environment.

Do you pee out PFAS? ›

PFAS leave the body mainly through urine. HOW CAN PFOS, PFOA, AND OTHER PFAS AFFECT PEOPLE'S HEALTH? The human health effects from exposure to low environmental levels of PFOS and PFOA are not fully known.

Is Fayetteville, NC water safe to drink? ›

Our Water Meets All EPA Regulatory Requirements

We share that concern about Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as PWC's top priority is providing high-quality drinking water that meets all EPA regulatory requirements.

What state has the most PFAS in water? ›

Even though PFAS are lurking in the drinking water of most states, some have incredibly high levels of these harmful chemicals in their water supplies. The state with the highest PFAS concentrations in drinking water is, by far, Michigan.

Do water filters remove PFAS from drinking water? ›

Reverse osmosis filters and two-stage filters reduced PFAS levels, including GenX, by 94% or more in water, though the small number of two-stage filters tested necessitates further testing to determine why they performed so well.

Which 5 member states have PFAS? ›

Once the opinions are adopted, they are sent to the European Commission, who together with the EU Member States will then decide on a potential restriction. Germany submits the proposal on behalf of the five countries: Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

Why can't you drink the water in Wilmington, NC? ›

2017: Wilmington's StarNews reported that the local municipal water supply was contaminated by GenX, a class of PFAS manufactured by Chemours at the company's Fayetteville Works facility.

Can I drink tap water in North Carolina? ›

North Carolinians are consistently served a safe, reliable supply of drinking water by compliant water systems.

Which shampoos have PFAS? ›

PFAS in one shampoo

In the test, the shampoo "Curl shampoo" from Living Proof contains the PFAS substance Octafluoropentyl methacrylate. PFAS is a group of substances that are particularly problematic for our environment and health.

What foods are high in PFAS? ›

The paper identified a range of foods to be among the drivers of high PFAS levels, including teas, pork, candy, sports drinks, processed meat, butter, chips and bottled water. The research also pointed to higher PFAS blood levels among those who consumed more carryout or food prepared at restaurants.

What cancers are linked to PFAS? ›

  • Kidney Cancer. OEEB Research on “Forever Chemicals” ...
  • Testicular Cancer. ...
  • Breast Cancer. ...
  • Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer. ...
  • Prostate Cancer. ...
  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Thyroid Cancer. ...
  • Thyroid Cancer and Childhood Leukemia. ...
  • Drinking Water Exposure Assessment in the California Teachers Study (CTS)

Forever Chemicals - What They Are And How to ...Moms Clean Air Forcehttps://www.momscleanairforce.org ›

H.R. 535, as the new bill is known, seeks to require the EPA to classify PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), two of the olde...
Toxic chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) might have harmful health effects.1 They are known as "forever chemicals&quot...
Speakers at a North Carolina State University symposium examined the problem of PFAS contamination in many state residents' drinking water.

How long does it take for PFAS to decay? ›

The mean estimated half-lives were 3.0 years (95% CI 2.8-3.2) for PFOA, 1.0 years (95% CI 0.9-1) for PFPeS, 4.7 years (95% CI 4.3-5.2) for PFHxS, 4.7 years (95% CI 4.3-5.3) for PFHpS and 2.9 years (95% CI 2.7-3.1) for PFOS.

Do PFAS eventually break down? ›

Thousands of variations of PFAS chemicals have been used for decades in a wide variety of products, including food packaging, stain-resistant textiles and firefighting foam. Their widespread use, combined with their inability to break down naturally, means that they have spread to water, soil and wildlife.

How do I remove PFAS from my life? ›

10 Things You Can Do About Toxic PFAS Chemicals
  1. 1) Ditch the non-stick cookware—even if it says PFOA (a type of PFAS) Free. ...
  2. 2) Can't replace the cookware? ...
  3. 3) Pop your own corn. ...
  4. 4) Bring your own container for to-go food. ...
  5. 5) Reject PFAS-coated dental floss. ...
  6. 6) Ask for untreated carpet. ...
  7. 7) Avoid stain-resistant coatings.

Do PFAS stay in the body? ›

PFAS are found in people, wildlife and fish all over the world. Some PFAS can stay in people's bodies a long time. Some PFAS do not break down easily in the environment.

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