PFAS Awareness Week marks the seventh anniversary of the public learning about the presence of these chemicals that are linked to health effects in the Cape Fear River.
PFAS
Totals on PFAS-contaminated utilities ‘coming down daily’
The state’s top drinking water protection official told the Environmental Management Commission Thursday that a shrinking number of North Carolinians get their drinking water from public systems with at least one of the synthetic chemicals that exceeds new federal limits.
Biser urges environmental commission to hear PFAS rules
NCDEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser is urging the Environmental Management Commission to move forward this week with setting surface and groundwater standards for PFAS, a move the NC Chamber opposes.
Biden commits $3B to replace lead water pipes nationwide
President Joe Biden announced during an invite-only stop in Wilmington a $3 billion investment to replace lead pipes across the country.
Cooper sets $148M aside for environment in FY 25 budget
The Cooper administration has recommended more than $148 million go toward conservation and resiliency in his proposed fiscal 2025 budget released last week.
Agency designates PFOA, PFOS as ‘hazardous substances’
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday that PFOA and PFOS meet the criteria to be designated as hazardous substances.
EPA puts enforceable limits on PFAS in public water systems
The Environmental Protection Agency set nationwide maximum contaminant levels in public drinking water utilities for nearly a half-dozen per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
NC scientists receive tools for tracking new compounds
Researchers at North Carolina universities that are part of the PFAS Testing Network are now equipped to trace unregistered chemical pollutants back to the source of emission.
Secretaries’ Science Board to review PFAS’ effects
The Department of Environmental Quality is set to formally ask the Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board to study and compare existing PFAS data from federal agencies.
EPA overstepped its authority in PFAS order: Appeals court
The 5th Circuit vacated the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to stop a Texas-based firm from creating per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances as a byproduct of its plastic containers manufacturing process.
Proposed rule change would certify labs to test for PFAS
Public comment is open until April 30 on a proposed rule change that would allow the state to certify commercial, municipal or industrial laboratories to test for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and report that data back to the state.
New online tool shows likelihood of PFAS in tap water
A federal government agency has launched a new online tool that let’s users see which areas of the country have drinking water sources likely containing PFAS.
Exposure study evolves to measure PFAS’ long-term effects
Researcher Jane Hoppin, who is leading a study of North Carolina residents exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in their drinking water, says the ongoing work will help in understanding how these compounds affect human health over time.
New Hanover County sues PFAS product makers, vendors
More than a dozen chemical manufacturers and companies that sell products made with PFAS are included in a lawsuit New Hanover County filed in Superior Court last week.
Chemours directed to sample more private wells
More than 14,000 additional private water wells in a four-county area in southeastern North Carolina may qualify for PFAS testing.
EPA pulls plug on previously approved GenX imports
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reversed its approval for Chemours to import GenX into North Carolina.
