State regulators held hours of public comment Monday on a proposed plan to address PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in North Carolina’s waterways. A hearing room filled with residents, scientists and medical professionals voiced their frustration and concerns about the proposal.
The North Carolina Environmental Control Commission’s proposal would require certain industries and wastewater utilities to monitor PFAS emissions and develop plans to reduce pollution.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used in products such as nonstick cookware and firefighting foam. These are not easily broken down and are associated with cancer and other health risks.
Critics argue that the proposal does not include enforceable limits on the amount of pollution that can be released or require specific reductions.
The public hearing drew a standing-room-only audience, with more than 40 people taking part in speaking. Many shared personal stories of illness, contaminated water, and concerns about long-term exposure.
Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear, said the plan would place too much responsibility on communities already dealing with pollution.
“The burden should not be placed on the community to have to clean this up. The burden should be placed on the polluters,” Donovan said.
Several speakers described the proposal as a “self-regulatory” system that would allow companies to monitor and reduce their own pollution without clear limits or penalties.
“There are no real restrictions, no penalties, no consequences for not reducing pollution,” said Alamance County resident Sean Francis, who spoke at the hearing.
The proposal comes as communities across the state face increasing costs to remove PFAS from their drinking water systems.
Some residents expressed uncertainty about whether the contamination was linked to serious illness.
“I know what it’s like to go to the tap and drink water and worry that it’s going to make you sick,” said Katie Shoerest, a cancer survivor who previously lived in Wilmington.
Staff at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality say they want to reduce pollution at the source, but final rules will be set by the Environmental Management Commission.
Experts also expressed concern about the plan’s scope, noting that it focuses on just three PFAS compounds, even though thousands of similar chemicals are in use.
“Limiting the rule to just three PFAS and not providing numerical targets is insufficient,” said Detlef Knappe, a researcher at North Carolina State University who has studied PFAS contamination in the state for more than a decade.
One doctor stopped while addressing the committee and choked up while talking about a patient he had treated.
“I’ve seen people die,” says urologist Dr. Mark McClure. “It’s time to put some teeth into these regulations and hold polluters accountable.”
Written comments may also be emailed to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with the subject line “PFAS Minimization” through June 15.
Another public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. at Wilmington City Hall’s Skyline Center.
WRAL Documentary: “Forever Chemicals: North Carolina’s Toxic Tap Water”
For decades, North Carolina companies dumped tons of toxic chemicals into the Cape Fear River.
WRAL’s documentary “Forever Chemicals: North Carolina’s Toxic Tap Water” examines how Forever Chemicals contaminated rivers, air and groundwater around its plants.
