Recent data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exposed the breadth of PFAS contamination across the nation’s drinking water systems. A USA TODAY analysis shows 839 utilities exceeded new federal limits for two notorious types of these chemicals: PFOA and PFOS. These water systems serve roughly 46 million Americans. PFAS, short for … Read more
A Growing Crisis in a Maryland Town In Salisbury, Maryland, several residents claim their drinking water has been contaminated with PFAS — chemicals linked to severe health problems — from Perdue Farms’ local soybean processing and agricultural operation. Two separate lawsuits allege that the company’s waste disposal practices have poisoned local waterways, leaving residents exposed … Read more
Three major chemical manufacturers—Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva—have agreed to a $875 million settlement with the State of New Jersey. The agreement addresses environmental damage claims tied to PFAS, a group of chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in nature and the human body. What Are PFAS and Why Are They … Read more
Across the United States, municipalities have embraced a controversial method for restoring degraded wetlands—pumping them full of treated wastewater effluent. The practice is often labeled “green” and “sustainable,” a lifeline for dried-up swamps and parched rivers. But lurking beneath the environmental marketing lies a toxic reality. The effluent used in these restorations routinely carries dangerous … Read more
In the foothills of West Virginia, a chemical facility known for its toxic legacy continues to pump harmful substances into the Ohio River, despite a much-publicized federal crackdown. Chemours’ Washington Works plant, once operated by DuPont, remains a major source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — chemicals infamous for their longevity in the … Read more
The FDA has identified the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ten bottled water brands sold across the U.S., raising concerns about the perceived safety of a product many Americans turn to for peace of mind. Though the detected PFAS levels remained below federal safety thresholds, their mere presence has stirred renewed dialogue … Read more
In southeastern North Carolina, small business owners are grappling with a public health crisis caused by PFAS contamination—without consistent regulatory support. In Wilmington, coffee shops like Port City Java have spent thousands of dollars filtering toxic chemicals from water, while chemical companies like Chemours remain locked in legal disputes with public utilities. As lawmakers struggle … Read more
Texas farms are crumbling under toxic PFAS contamination, and Synagro, the nation’s top biosolid fertilizer maker, points fingers elsewhere. Their “independent” study stays hidden, leaving ranchers and regulators in the dark. Let’s dig into what’s poisoning the land and what you can do. A Toxic Crisis in Texas Johnson County, Texas, is reeling—ranches devastated by … Read more
Chemours and DuPont want to keep 21,000 pages of documents sealed—secrets that could reveal the true cost of their PFAS pollution in North Carolina. Environmental groups are fighting back, demanding transparency for communities already scarred by decades of contamination. Let’s unpack the stakes for half a million people. The Battle for Transparency The Southern Environmental … Read more
The EPA’s been tracking PFAS in drinking water, but their latest update—due quarterly—arrived over a month late. It landed amid Trump-era rollbacks, like slashing power plant emission rules and shrinking Clean Water Act protections. For 37 million Americans, USA TODAY’s analysis of this data reveals their water exceeds PFAS limits. It’s a quiet crisis, bubbling … Read more