New analysis indicates that toxics were present in Wilmington drinking water at extreme levels

Astronomical concentrations of toxic compounds commonly known as PFAS were present in the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, years before researchers had the technology to detect them.

According to a new analysis of preserved samples from 2014 to 2016, PFAS that contain an ether molecule were found at concentrations of at least as high as 130,000 parts per trillion near Lock and Dam No. 1, near the drinking water intake for the City of Wilmington. The contamination originated at the Chemours/DuPont facility more than 80 miles upstream.

The samples at Lock and Dam No. 1 were taken in 2015 near by NC State and EPA researchers. But only now, with advanced technology, can scientists more accurately measure the concentrations of PFAS in water.

The newly detected compounds are among the 5,000 types of PFAS. For this study, researchers broaden the scope of their search and discovered 11 that contained ether molecules. These include PFMOAA and Nation Byproduct 2. PFMOAA composed the greatest percentage of the ether subtypes contamination, with 110,000 ppt.

Read more: http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2019/10/09/breaking-new-analysis-indicates-that-toxics-were-present-in-wilmington-drinking-water-at-extreme-levels/