Chief Administrative Law Judge and Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings Dr. Donald van der Vaart revoked permit limits of 1,4-dioxane for municipal wastewater treatment plants that discharge a compound the EPA calls a likely human carcinogen into the drinking water sources of tens of thousands.
public health
Update: PFAS groundwater rule OK’d for public comment
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission on Thursday unanimously waived the normal 30-day public notice, expediting the rulemaking process covering the compounds classified as likely carcinogens.
State issues swimming advisory for Buxton, Rodanthe
N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program officials have issued a precautionary advisory warning against swimming in ocean waters near Corbina Drive in Rodanthe and near Cottage Avenue and Tower Circle in Buxton.
NC focuses on helping municipal water, sewer — not septic
Some towns are providing assistance for people on private systems, about half the state’s households.
Swim advisories posted for Carteret, New Hanover sites
Routine water testing revealed that bacteria levels at the accesses on sounds in Carteret County and New Hanover County exceed state and Environmental Protection Agency recreational water quality standards.
Precautionary swim advisory lifted for most oceanside sites
State recreational water quality officials lifted Wednesday the precautionary swimming advisory issued last week before Tropical Storm Debby’s sweep up the eastern Atlantic.
Brunswick County offers free testing of private well samples
Brunswick County Health Services announced Monday that it’s participating in a Northeastern University program to allow private well users in the area to get their samples analyzed for bacteria and metals at no charge during August.
As Debby ‘meanders,’ officials warn: Prepare for ‘deluge’
Gov. Roy Cooper warned Wednesday morning that “we must be on high alert” because slow-moving Tropical Storm Debby can bring dangerous conditions to a number of areas in the state.
Federal court backs EPA’s GenX health advisory
Chemours vows to continue legal challenges against the regulatory agency; and while environmentalists view the ruling as a victory, some legal experts suggest an unpredictable regulatory landscape going forward.
Court dismisses case challenging PFAS health advisory
A federal appeals court this week dismissed Chemours’ petition to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s advisory related to the toxicity of a compound used in the company’s GenX manufacturing.
Red flags fly on most North Carolina beaches
Red warning flags whip against the wind Friday in Atlantic Beach, notifying swimmers to not enter the water. Life-threatening rip currents were likely and the surf zone dangerous for all levels of swimmers on all North Carolina beaches north of Cape Fear Friday, according to the National Weather Service’s experimental Beach Forecast webpage, which is color-coded to indicate the forecast rip current risk level. Yellow flags indicating moderate conditions flew on Brunswick County beaches Friday. Conditions had improved to moderate to low risk Monday. Photo: Dylan Ray
Commission members balk on 5 proposed PFAS standards
Committees of the Environmental Management Commission stalled proposed health standards for most of the eight synthetic compounds put forth, including two the EPA classified as likely carcinogens.
Dangerous heat forecast for July Fourth weekend activities
Health officials advise residents to prepare for the extreme heat expected throughout the weekend, when most folks head outside — including those who seldom do.
Forecasters, lifeguards warn: Rip currents are deadly
Rip currents have killed four times as many people in the Carolinas since 2000 as tornados, floods and wind combined, a National Weather Service official said.
Oak Island adds lighted signs that display beach warnings
Oak Island officials say the town’s new beach warning notification system will enhance safety for beachgoers and add visibility to its warning flag system already in place.
Governor appoints coastal residents to state boards
Several coastal residents have been appointed to state boards and commissions, and one government official to the North Carolina State Ports Authority, Gov. Roy Cooper’s office announced Monday.
