Overview of the Study

A groundbreaking study from North Carolina State University reveals that it could take more than 40 years to completely flush harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) out of the groundwater in Cumberland and Bladen counties. This alarming revelation came after researchers employed a unique blend of PFAS data, groundwater age-dating methods, and flux analysis to predict the levels of these dangerous chemicals in groundwater that eventually drains into tributaries of the Cape Fear River.

Key Findings

Published in the esteemed journal *Environmental Science & Technology*, the findings shed light on the serious implications of PFAS contamination in the area. Researchers focused on groundwater samples from two watersheds situated near the Fayetteville Works fluorochemical plant, a known hotspot for PFAS emissions.

Expert Insights

David Genereux, a professor of marine, Earth, and atmospheric sciences at NC State and the study's lead investigator, emphasizes the magnitude of the contamination crisis: “There’s a massive expanse of PFAS-contaminated groundwater affecting thousands of residents and significant agricultural land.”

Impact on Local Water Supply

The study highlights that over 7,000 private wells are directly impacted by this contamination. In addition, PFAS-laden groundwater flows into tributaries of the Cape Fear River, which in turn affects water users in Wilmington and surrounding areas.

Groundwater Analysis Results

Researchers meticulously analyzed groundwater samples to identify various PFAS compounds and their concentrations. They unearthed an unsettling average of 229 nanograms per liter (ng/L) of hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and a staggering 498 ng/L of perfluoro-2-methoxypropanoic acid (PMPA). To put this into perspective, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of just 10 ng/L for HFPO-DA in public drinking water—a far cry from the levels actually found in these wells.

Long-term Contamination Outlook

Genereux notes that these troubling findings indicate it could take decades for groundwater flows to purge PFAS residues left over from the peak pollution years, which spanned from 1980 to 2019. He warns that this timeframe might actually be an underestimate, particularly if PFAS are seeping into less permeable soil layers, further complicating remediation efforts.

Continuing Sources of Contamination

While emissions of PFAS from industrial sources have decreased significantly since 2019, they haven't ceased entirely, meaning that atmospheric deposition could continue to introduce PFAS into the groundwater. Genereux indicates that even in an ideal scenario with no further atmospheric contamination, it will still take around 40 years for PFAS emitted in past decades to be naturally eliminated from groundwater supplies.

Future Research Directions

The research team acknowledges that groundwater PFAS contamination will likely remain a multi-generational issue. They plan to build on this work by modeling potential PFAS levels at specific drinking water wells while collaborating with toxicologists to better understand the relationship between past PFAS concentrations and health outcomes for the affected communities.

Call to Action

With such shocking revelations surfacing, it serves as a dire reminder of the long-lasting impact of chemical contamination, urging both policymakers and citizens to take immediate action to tackle this ongoing environmental crisis. Stay tuned as we continue to monitor developments in this critical public health issue!