Study Overview

A groundbreaking study from North Carolina State University has uncovered startling evidence that the notoriously harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could linger in the groundwater of Cumberland and Bladen counties for over 40 years! This eye-opening research highlights the urgent need for environmental reforms as thousands of residents remain at risk.

Research Methodology

Published in the esteemed journal Environmental Science & Technology, the study utilizes an innovative approach that combines PFAS data, groundwater age-dating tracers, and groundwater flow metrics to predict how long it will take for these hazardous chemicals to dissipate into tributaries of the Cape Fear River.

Key Findings

Conducted near the Fayetteville Works fluorochemical plant, a hotspot for PFAS pollution, the researchers examined contaminated groundwater across two specific watersheds. According to lead researcher David Genereux, over 7,000 private wells are affected by this contamination, posing a severe risk to both residential and agricultural communities. What's more, the PFAS-laden groundwater that seeps into nearby tributaries endangers the quality of river water utilized by populations near Wilmington.

Contamination Levels

In their extensive analysis, the team discovered PFAS in groundwater that is up to 43 years old, with alarming average concentrations of hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA) at 229 nanograms per liter (ng/L) and perfluoro-2-methoxypropanoic acid (PMPA) at 498 ng/L. For context, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level (MCL) for HFPO-DA in public drinking water is just 10 ng/L, underlining the severity of the contamination crisis.

Research Implications

Genereux warns, “It could take decades for natural groundwater movements to flush out PFAS that were released during the high emission years, roughly from 1980 to 2019.” He also notes that if PFAS continues to percolate from low-permeability areas, the cleanup timeline could stretch even longer.

Ongoing Concerns

Despite a significant reduction in air emissions of PFAS since 2019, they have not ceased completely. This ongoing atmospheric deposition means that groundwater sources might still be receiving these toxic chemicals. Genereux adds, “Even under the best circumstances, where no new emissions occur, we are looking at another 40 years of contamination moving from groundwater to surface water.”

Future Research Directions

This research sends a stark message: PFAS contamination will be a persistent challenge for decades to come. The team plans to expand their work by modeling PFAS levels in drinking water wells and collaborating with toxicologists to establish correlations between past exposures and health outcomes. The implications for public health and safety are profound, and immediate attention is essential to address this escalating crisis!