Guest commentary: We need the North Carolina General Assembly to step up and protect their constituents as the EPA rolls out its stated plans to eliminate nationwide drinking water standards for PFAS, a known human health risk.
public health
Corps presses toward fall decision on $1.3 billion harbor plan
The federal final environmental impact statement for the proposed channel deepening and widening at the N.C. Port of Wilmington is nearing the final approval stage, but Cape Fear area residents and advocates say their objections and questions about potential effects remain unanswered.
Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board to meet Wednesday
The North Carolina Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board, which assists, consults and advises the state’s human health and environmental agencies, is scheduled to meet virtually on Wednesday.
‘Peering into the black box of nutrition’: Study tracks diets
Dr. Rachel Noble of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences and colleagues used technology developed to track COVID-19 in municipal wastewater to now track populations’ dietary habits so their nutritional health may be studied and improved.
Cape Fear area water utilities notified of elevated 1,4-dioxane discharge
Several downstream drinking water suppliers, including Brunswick and Pender counties, and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, have been notified that elevated levels of 1,4-dioxane were detected in a July 10 sample collected upstream from the Asheboro Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Audit reveals hundreds of potentially contaminated landfills
A state audit released Monday found that more than three-quarters of almost 700 identified landfill sites where municipal solid waste disposal occurred without regulatory oversight have never been investigated by state environmental regulators.
Opponents call EPA proposal on persistent PFAS ‘dangerous’
Speakers during an online public hearing Tuesday largely and roundly criticized the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal federal drinking water limits for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and delay the deadline for water utilities to comply with limits for related compounds by two years.
State aging agencies offer fans to eligible adults until Oct. 31
The state-managed Operation Fan Heat Relief has been providing fans since 1986 to adults living with disabilities or are 60 and older to help reduce heat-related illnesses and make their living environment more comfortable.
Stein signs budget with safe water provisions, new ferry tolls
Gov. Josh Stein signed the $34.4 billion spending plan featuring coastal environmental spending and policy provisions, and new tolls on state ferries that have long been free to ride.
Forecasters project heat wave over Fourth of July weekend
Forecasters and health officials warn that this Fourth of July weekend the “feels like” temperatures of between 100 and 110 starting Friday can be dangerous to your health.
Supreme Court sides with herbicide maker in lymphoma case
The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of the maker of the herbicide Roundup and the Trump administration in rejecting the claims of a Missouri man with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Coastal temperatures to soar this week, pose big health risks
Coastal counties are forecast to have a “real feel” near or in the 100s Thursday, and raises the concern that residents will experience warmer nights and longer heat seasons.
Public reminded to avoid contact with discolored waterbodies
State water resources officials remind the public this summer to avoid contact with discolored water, a potential sign that an algal bloom is present.
EPA ‘strategy’ proposes to strike enforceable PFAS standards
The Environmental Protection Agency is wasting no time in advancing its plans to eliminate and reevaluate enforceable standards for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including the compound branded GenX found in the drinking water sources of tens of thousands of North Carolinians.
State readies for hot weather during Heat Safety Week
Gov. Josh Stein has declared Monday through Friday as North Carolina Heat Safety Week, an effort to highlight state resources to keep residents and visitors safe from extreme heat.
Officials to offer tips on prepping for NC’s heat season
State and weather officials are kicking off North Carolina’s heat season, which began May 1, with a virtual meeting targeted to local governments to help them prepare for extreme heat.
