Produce Near Fayetteville Works Contaminated by PFAS

PFAS Contamination Extends to Homegrown Produce

A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has revealed alarming levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” in fruits and vegetables grown near the Chemours Fayetteville Works Plant in North Carolina. The findings highlight an additional pathway of human exposure to these toxic substances beyond contaminated drinking water.

“An important goal of our study was to determine whether people who live in PFAS-impacted communities are also exposed to PFAS through homegrown produce,” explained Detlef Knappe, a professor at North Carolina State University and one of the lead researchers.

PFAS are a group of approximately 16,000 chemicals known for their durability in the environment and their ability to accumulate in the human body. They have been linked to severe health effects, including kidney cancer, heart disease, and reproductive issues.

Findings of the Study

Researchers analyzed 53 samples of fruits and vegetables collected from five gardens near the Fayetteville Works plant. Testing included 43 different PFAS compounds, many directly tied to Chemours’ manufacturing processes. The study found that even minimal consumption of contaminated produce could expose individuals to potentially harmful levels of PFAS.

• Children at Higher Risk: Eating just 10 blueberries from a contaminated garden equates to consuming a liter of water with unsafe PFAS levels for a child.
• Adult Exposure: Adults could consume about four times more produce than children before reaching the same exposure levels.

These findings align with previous research, confirming that PFAS have infiltrated not only the water but also the air, soil, and plants in the area.

Airborne PFAS Identified as a Major Source

The study attributed much of the contamination to airborne PFAS emissions from the Chemours plant, which are carried by wind and rainwater. This conclusion was supported by reports from residents who primarily used rainwater for irrigation and by analyses of frozen vegetables harvested between 2013 and 2019. During this period, PFAS levels in the vegetables decreased, correlating with Chemours’ efforts to reduce air emissions.

Community Reaction

Local residents have expressed a mix of frustration and resignation in response to the study.

Mike Watters, a Gray’s Creek resident, highlighted his personal experience with PFAS contamination in his backyard soil, which tested positive for the chemicals at depths of up to two feet. “As the year rolls down on 2024, it is hard to believe that we would still be learning more about the depth of contamination caused by our ‘Good Neighbor,’” he said, referring to the chemical plant.

Another resident, Vickie Doug Mullins, commented on the broader impact of airborne PFAS. “It’s just not near the plant; this mess has [gone] airborne, so it affects us all,” she wrote on Facebook. She noted its effects on plants, animals, and pollinators, emphasizing the degradation of the region’s overall quality of life.

Implications for the Future

The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for stricter controls on PFAS emissions and comprehensive cleanup efforts. They also call attention to the importance of ongoing monitoring of environmental contamination and its effects on food sources.

In the meantime, residents living near fluorochemical plants must weigh the risks associated with consuming produce from their gardens. Public health authorities and researchers continue to evaluate potential solutions, including water filtration and soil remediation strategies, to reduce PFAS exposure.

Mitigating PFAS Contamination: Filtration and Beyond

For households concerned about PFAS exposure, installing reverse osmosis filtration systems can effectively remove these chemicals from drinking water. Whole-home water conditioners also play a role by reducing PFAS in water used for irrigation and other household needs. However, addressing airborne contamination will require coordinated industrial and regulatory efforts to minimize emissions at the source.

Source: CBS News