Read the full article by Jared Hayes and Tasha Stoiber (Environmental Working Group)
“Drinking water for at least 2.5 million North Carolinians is contaminated with the toxic ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAS at levels exceeding new federal standards, according to an EWG analysis.
Across 49 drinking water systems, some far exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s PFAS standards finalized in April. Levels of the forever chemicals PFOA and PFOS in a community in Fayetteville were more than double and triple the new federal limits, respectively. In many other parts of the state, levels top the amount of PFAS in water the agency allows.
The EPA’s standards limit six PFAS in drinking water and may bring much-needed relief from the PFAS contamination crisis in North Carolina and beyond, if water utilities take the steps needed to comply.
To meet the standards, systems must treat water to remove PFAS, and look for ways to turn off the tap on forever chemicals pollution. Only by complying fully with their duties under the EPA’s standards will the water utilities be able to provide millions in North Carolina with the safe drinking water they’ve long sought.” …