Wral News tested water from the homes of North Carolina for Forever Chemicals, also known as per- and polyphloorocill substance (PFAS). They are called chemicals forever because PFA can remain in the environment and human body.
The study has linked some PFAs with adverse health effects including cancer. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that some may be harmful by coming into contact with very low levels of chemicals forever. EPA has proposed boundaries on six types of PFA, but there are no current rules for utilities.
Wral News used a testing kit at a home from cyclopores to test municipal drinking water for 55 different chemicals forever. Results are valid for a part for trillion (PPT), equal to a grain of sand in 20 Olympic size swimming pools.
The highest levels were found here:
Fayetteville
Total PFAS: 47.4 PPT
PFAS levels are taken in Fayetteville, NC from PWC-provided water in water samples
The Cumberland County has been in the headlines in recent years, when researchers discovered that the Chemors Fayetville Chemical Plant stained drinking water wells with the Cape Fear River and the surrounding chemicals.
Chemorses supply bottled water to private well owners with a total PFAS 10 ppt or more. The municipal water supply level of Cumberland County is four times.
Wral News tested the water provided by PWC in a Fietville home, where Ashley Williams live with young children with his family. After looking at the results, Williams switch to bottled water to limit his family chemicals contact.
Williams said, “I didn’t expect that we would be so much.” “We are paying for our water every month in the city and they are going to clean our water, but obviously they are not.”
PWC rejected requests for an interview, but utility finally planned to install granulated active carbon systems at its two treatment facilities at an estimated cost of $ 92 million.
Wral News reviewed the results with PFAS specialist, Detelf Knappe, NC State.
“Personally, I would not like to have a PFAS level that you found in some communities in your water, so I will filter them,” Kannap said.
Burlington
Total PFAS: 45.2 PPT
PFAS Test Results for Burlington Sample
Burlington water samples showed high levels of PFO and PFOA, forever, have been excluded from production after the compounds that are associated with health hazards. EPA has proposed regulatory boundaries for those compounds of 4 parts per trillion.
“These results are above the standards that are proposing EPAs, so it will be considered unsafe in the future,” Kannap said.
Susan and Rusty Holts have been at their Berlington home for 35 years and wanted to test their water as they were concerned about PFAS exposure.
“It is scary to think that it can affect our health, especially when we grow up” Susan Holt said.
“I think the manufacturers of these chemicals should have some responsibility for cleaning,” said Rusty Holt.
Durham
Total PFAS: 8.6
Durham’s PFAS level was less than 10 PPT, but PFO level was 3.9. This is barely under the proposed EPA limit of 4 PPT.
Durham resident Kent Veigal said, “Regulatory agencies should be given more teeth to protect drinking water.”
Raleigh
Total PFAS: 7.1
Rale levels were under the proposed limitations of EPA.
Ed Buchan with rale water says that utility uses powder active carbon (PAC) in treatment systems to remove some PFAs. It looks like a nice black dust and is much cheaper than the granulated active carbon (GAC) filter.
Carrie and Rale Water Testing Results
Buchan says that if the rale water is official, the regulatory standards for PFA will upgrade to meet the standards.
“If we go into something like GAC, it would probably cost anywhere between $ 150 to $ 170 million and it will be paid by Ratperes.”
Carrie
Total PFAS: 5.6
Carrie had the lowest level in total. The municipality also uses a PAC system to treat water.
Kerri Difilipo went to North Carolina in 2015 and wanted her water to test as she was worried about PFAS exposure after knowing about contamination in other parts of the state.
“This was definitely my biggest fear, that there is something in water that could affect my health and our children’s health,” Difilipo said.
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