Cape Fear River

UNC Chapel Hill researchers have discovered eight types of previously unknown PFAS in the Cape Fear River using a new detection method.

The Environmental Protection Agency says it reversed its decision because Chemours provided inaccurate information to the Netherlands' government about the volume of materials being shipped. This development comes a week after letters from the United Nations accusing Chemours of violating human rights were made public.

Environmental groups are sounding the alarm about a bill moving in the state Senate. They say it could lead to more water pollution and make it easier to build new natural gas pipelines and hog farms.

Chemours isn't the only culprit contaminating the Cape Fear River — and PFAS isn't the only chemical environmentalists are concerned about.

Chemical company Chemours wants to expand existing operations at its Fayetteville Works facility. Chemours is responsible for discharging toxic chemicals known as PFAS into the Cape Fear River.

At issue is whether the state can sue holding companies created by DuPont, which once operated a plant in Fayetteville that's responsible for dumping chemicals into the Cape Fear River.

Chemical company Chemours issued a statement Wednesday morning disputing the scientific data the EPA used as a basis for the health advisory issued for GenX, which the company uses in its products.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and his environmental chief have unveiled a new strategy to address further efforts to reduce and remedy a broad category of “forever chemicals” like GenX in water sources.

PFAS contamination has plagued the Cape Fear Region for decades, but researchers are still trying to catch up on understanding the chemicals’ health effects on humans. But a study soon to come out of peer review shows that gators are experiencing similar impacts to their immune abilities.