“GenX and similar potentially harmful compounds were found in fish, sediment and water at a lake near a Bladen County plant, state documents show.
The state Department of Environmental Quality conducted a preliminary study of Marshwood Lake in March and April. The results were presented to the Science Advisory Board this month.
The tests took samples from three types of fish, sediment from two locations around the lake, and water from two places in the lake and at the spring that feeds it. The lake is about a mile north of the Chemours plant, which is off N.C. 87 near the Cumberland County line. The facility makes GenX, which also is a byproduct of other processes there.
The tests looked for GenX, PFOA, PFOS and 30 other similar compounds…
In the tests at the lake this year, GenX and PFOS were the only compounds found in redear sunfish. PFOS and four other compounds were found in largemouth bass. Four compounds were found in blue catfish.
The study is not meant as a fish consumption advisory, according to the document. The test results cannot be applied to any other body of water, it said.
‘PFAS concentrations in the fish collected at this time of year may not be representative of concentrations at other times of the year, or in other fish species,’ the document said. ‘Fish collected at the end of the annual growing season may have higher concentrations.’
GenX was the only compound found in sediment around the lake. The tests showed the chemical at a level of 1,800 parts per trillion. That amount is more than 12 times the state’s provisional health goal, but the standard is used for consumption.
The GenX level in the lake was 968 parts per trillion, while the spring had a level of 1,160 parts per trillion. Sixteen other compounds were found in the water.”
Read the full article by Steve DeVane