Since our last article, "PFAS Contamination of the Cape Fear Still An Issue", the Cape Fear region continues to experience high levels of "forever chemicals" in their water supply. As mentioned in previous articles, the main offender for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination is the Chemours Co. Fayetteville Works Plant. … [Read more...]
Chemours GenX Contamination Case Reaches New Deal
Since 2017, Wilmington and other surrounding areas have dealt with GenX and other PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance) contamination of the Cape Fear River from manufacturer Chemours' Fayetteville Works Plant. Since then, the company has paid $12 million in civil penalties. Additionally, more than $100 million has been invested into … [Read more...]
PFAS Contamination of the Cape Fear Still An Issue
Since 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allowed DuPont to continue to manufacture GenX in its Chemours Fayetteville Works plant, so long as the plant captures and destroys or recycles 99% of GenX emissions. However, up until the end of June 2017, the EPA made no inspections to ensure the plant was in compliance with … [Read more...]
Chemours’ PFAS Chemical Reduction Plans: Are They Enough?
On December 31, 2019, Chemours proposed corrective plans for the damages caused by GenX and other per- and polyflourinated substances (PFAS) discharged from their Fayetteville Works plant to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for approval. The proposed PFAS corrective plans addressed groundwater and soil remediation, … [Read more...]
GenX and Other PFAS Chemicals Found at High Levels
It has just been discovered, through researchers at N.C. State University, that GenX levels in the Cape Fear River were actually much higher than what was thought. In addition, several chemicals in the PFAS class were found at extreme numbers, whose affect on human health is completely unknown. As we have discussed before, GenX is a byproduct of … [Read more...]
Judge Consolidates Five Existing GenX Contamination Lawsuits
In October of last year, five separate Complaints were filed against chemical companies DuPont and Chemours in response to the GenX contamination of the Cape Fear River. Here is a list of the Complaints that have been filed against DuPont and Chemours thus far: Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) Brunswick County Brent Nix … [Read more...]
Chemours Lacks a Concrete Plan to Address GenX Contamination Issue
Increased GenX Levels According to state environmental regulators, levels of GenX in the Cape Fear River have spiked yet again, and they're not sure why. In October, there was a spill that Chemours failed to report, which resulted in increased GenX levels in the river. Researchers found concentrations of GenX that were shockingly high: almost … [Read more...]
New Hanover County Residents Tested for GenX Exposure in New Study
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recently awarded a grant to researchers from N.C. State University to study the extent of GenX exposure in New Hanover County residents. While Chemours has ceased discharge of GenX into the Cape Fear River, researchers are still finding measurable amounts of GenX in the drinking … [Read more...]
Chemours Ordered to Capture Additional GenX Wastewater by DEQ
Chemours Can Keep Their Permit... On October 21, 2017, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced that it would not be suspending Chemours' wastewater discharge permit at this time. This permit allows Chemours to dump millions of gallons of water tainted with chemicals into the Cape Fear River. The DEQ based their … [Read more...]
DuPont and Chemours Sued by CFPUA for Environmental Law Violations
On October 16, 2017, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) filed a Complaint in federal district court against DuPont and its spinoff company, Chemours, alleging that the companies violated several federal environmental laws by dumping C8 and GenX in the Cape Fear River. CFPUA claims DuPont and Chemours violated the following laws: … [Read more...]