Imagine sipping water from your North Carolina tap, unaware it’s laced with toxic “forever chemicals” from factories upriver. A new state plan greenlights that pollution, dodging limits and penalties, while voices cry out for protection. It’s a murky mix of industry sway and public health—let’s wade into this troubling tale. North Carolina’s Toxic Pass For … Read more
The Supreme Court struck down the EPA’s PFAS drinking water rules in February 2025, ruling 5-4 that the agency stretched its power too far. This decision axed limits on six PFAS types, including PFOA and PFOS—set at 4 parts per trillion—leaving no federal cap in place. PFAS, dubbed “forever chemicals,” stick around in water and … Read more
For millions of Americans, turning on the tap is an everyday action that requires little thought. But a new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) raises serious concerns about what’s flowing from those taps. The findings reveal that harmful contaminants—including “forever chemicals,” heavy metals, and radioactive substances—are present in water systems across the country, … Read more
A recent study from Sweden suggests that a common method of disinfecting drinking water may pose serious health risks. Researchers found that chemical byproducts formed during chlorination could increase the risk of bladder cancer by 33% and colorectal cancer by 15%. The Role of Trihalomethanes in Public Water Systems The study, published in Environmental Health … Read more
Simply Orange, a brand under Coca-Cola’s Simply Beverages line, is facing renewed legal action over allegations of PFAS contamination. A New York man, Joseph Lurenz, initially filed a class-action lawsuit in December 2022, claiming that Simply Tropical—a juice from the Simply brand—contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at levels far exceeding federal safety guidelines. PFAS, … Read more
A groundbreaking study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC has identified a significant connection between PFAS contamination in drinking water and a range of rare cancers. The research, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, is the first to examine this relationship across the U.S. on a large scale. PFAS, … Read more
Millions of Americans unknowingly consume tap water tainted with harmful, unregulated chemicals, according to a new study by the Silent Spring Institute. Researchers found over 97 million people in the United States have been exposed to contaminants that pose potential health risks, highlighting a growing concern about water quality nationwide. What Are the Contaminants? The … Read more
For decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has encouraged the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer, a practice marketed as sustainable waste management. However, evidence reveals that this sludge, often laden with toxic PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” contaminates farmland, food, and water sources nationwide. The origin of these chemicals, their risks, and the … Read more
North Carolina is advancing a framework to combat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in surface water. These measures include targeted monitoring and minimization efforts aimed at reducing pollution while alleviating cleanup costs for utilities and consumers. At a recent meeting, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) reviewed plans outlined by the Department of … Read more
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expanded its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to include nine additional “forever chemicals.” This move is aimed at increasing transparency and helping communities monitor the release of these persistent substances into their environments. What Are Forever Chemicals? Forever chemicals, technically referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are synthetic … Read more