Firefighter bunker gear and turnout gear -- the uniforms worn by firemen when going out to fight a fire -- contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a highly toxic class of chemicals. Here are two important facts from a February 2021 article, "Firefighters face lies, ‘phony’ studies on PFAS exposure": All protective firefighting … [Read more...]
Five PFAS Chemicals Added to List of Regional Screening and Removal Management Levels by the EPA
Since our January 14, 2022 article about GenX, “EPA to Require Chemical Companies to Test Toxicity of Products“, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to a list of risk-based values that will allow the organization to determine what, if any, remediation activities are needed. The … [Read more...]
EPA to Require Chemical Companies to Test Toxicity of Products
Since our October 29, 2021 article about GenX, "GenX Contamination May Be More Toxic Than EPA Initially Thought", the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered certain chemical makers to test the toxicity of their products. The ruling comes following the petition of six North Carolina community and environmental groups, urging the … [Read more...]
GenX Contamination May Be More Toxic Than EPA Initially Thought
Since July 2021, when we posted our last GenX article, “EPA Petitioned to Reconsider Requiring Chemours to Fund PFAS Testing“, it has been determined that GenX contamination in the Cape Fear region may pose more threats than initially thought. These findings come following the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement about the … [Read more...]
New EPA Administrator Makes PFAS Contamination Issue A Priority
On March 11, 2021, Michael Regan, the former North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary was sworn into office as the new head of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since this transition from the NC DEQ to US EPA Administrator, Regan has made it clear per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) … [Read more...]
Notice Violation Issued to Chemours After Failure to Properly Remove PFAS Contamination
According to a January 2021 article "N.C. regulators issue notice of violation to Chemours", the company received a violation notice regarding a newly-installed treatment system that failed to remove PFAS contamination at the Fayetteville Works site. As mentioned in previous articles, the main offender for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) … [Read more...]
Additional PFAS Testing Petition Denied by the EPA
Since our last article, “PFAS Levels in Cape Fear Remain Largely the Same, Despite Emission Cuts“, the Cape Fear region continues to experience high levels of “forever chemicals” in their water supply. Despite requests for additional PFAS testing, no additional regulations have been put in place. As mentioned in previous articles, the main … [Read more...]
PFAS Levels in Cape Fear Remain Largely the Same, Despite Emission Cuts
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...]