WILMINGTON, NC (August 12, 2022) – A coalition of community justice, public health and environmental groups and Southeastern North Carolina residents has moved to intervene in a legal challenge by chemical manufacturer Chemours to the drinking water health advisory recently released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for GenX chemicals. Manufactured at the Chemours plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina, GenX chemicals are harmful members of the PFAS class of toxic “forever chemicals” that for four decades have polluted the Cape Fear River, a source of drinking water for nearly 500,000 residents. Backed by extensive peer-reviewed science, the advisory identifies a GenX level of 10 parts per trillion (ppt) in drinking water to protect communities from the serious health effects of exposure to GenX.
Coalition members are Center for Environmental Health, Cape Fear River Watch, Clean Cape Fear, Democracy Green, North Carolina Black Alliance, Toxic Free North Carolina, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and five residents, Lacey Brown, Kyle Horton, Harper Peterson , Debra Stewart and Mike Watters.
Below are the statements of the groups that filed the motion to intervene:
“Chemours illegally released GenX into our drinking water supply. They put my family, friends, neighbors and community at risk for decades. Our children deserve to go to school feeling that their water is safe to drink.” – Emily Donovan, co-founder, Clean Cape Fear
“In fighting this health advisory after their industry’s own science proved that these chemicals are toxic 50 years ago – and while pumping out a brilliant PR campaign to convince the community, they poisoned that they are ‘good neighbors’ who care – Chemours has proven once again that the only thing they care about is their bottom line.” – Dana Sargent, Executive Director, Cape Fear River Watch
“Black and brown communities are already suffering the overwhelming burden of the cumulative impact on their respective communities, in addition to having to deal with the impact of ingesting these lifelong chemicals.” – Jovita Lee, Program Director, Black Alliance of North Carolina
PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ will forever affect our communities and alleviate health inequities for decades. The CDC has found PFAS in the blood of 99% of Americans. – Sanja Whittington, Democracy Green
“In announcing the new health advisory levels, the EPA has acknowledged that ‘permanent chemicals’ are harmful even at low concentrations. North Carolina deserves environmental justice and accountability for polluters.” – Alexis Luckey, Toxic Free NC
“EPA conducted a rigorous, multiyear process to evaluate the health effects of GenX, and its findings were supported by two independent expert panels. Chemours had every opportunity to weigh in, but did not carry the day. Now, she’s filing a last-ditch lawsuit to block the advisory at the same time the state of North Carolina is working to provide stronger drinking water protections for residents suffering from PFAS contamination of their water supplies. . This reckless attempt to deny at-risk communities the protection they urgently need must be rejected. – Bob Sussman, Counsel for North Carolina Groups and Individuals and former EPA official
“We are filing this motion to intervene in the Chemours case because justice requires that we protect the interests of frontline communities, not the chemical industry. EPA’s full scientific findings show that GenX and other PFASs harm human health. EPA is serving the public by providing communities and state and local governments with the best information to protect public health.” – Kathryn Alcantar, CEH
“Chemours is responsible for returning North Carolina to ground zero for GenX contamination. We will not stand idly by while the company tries to counter the sound science that details the harmful risks associated with ingesting these dangerous chemicals. Alongside our partners who have been fighting to eliminate PFAS for years, we will continue to advocate for stronger PFAS and GenX regulations and protect drinking water for millions of Americans. – Erik D. Olson, Senior Strategic Director, Health and Nutrition, NRDC
Background:
PFAS, which include PFOA, PFOS and GenX, are a large class of toxic “forever chemicals” that are highly mobile and do not break down easily in the environment, resulting in widespread contamination. PFAS have been linked to health problems, including cancer, liver and kidney damage, weakened immune systems and developmental problems.
The GenX chemicals are among hundreds of PFASs that DuPont and its spinoff Chemours have discharged into the Cape Fear River since the 1970s, causing massive contamination of drinking water, groundwater, air and locally produced food. Exposure to GenX in municipal drinking water and private wells has exceeded the EPA health advisory level of 10 ppt, and thousands of residents have consumed PFAS including GenX at levels well above 10 ppt, creating widespread concern about harm to public health. theirs.
The GenX health advisory is based on a comprehensive multi-year assessment of the toxicity of GenX that EPA scientists completed in the fall of 2021. The assessment was reviewed and approved by two panels of independent scientists.
The advisory is not enforceable by EPA and provides information that drinking water suppliers, states, and local governments can consider to protect their drinking water. The State of North Carolina has announced that it strongly supports the advisory and is already using the scientific advice provided by it in the state’s efforts to reduce GenX contamination in affected areas of the state.
On July 13, 2022, Chemours filed a petition for review with the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, challenging GenX’s health advisory. Before the coalition can participate in the case, the court must rule on their pending motion to intervene.
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Clean Cape Fear is an alliance of established advocacy groups, community leaders, educators and professionals working together to restore and protect our water quality, and spotlight gaps in government regulations that negatively impact the right tons for clean water. Follow them on Twitter @CleanCapeFear.
Cape Fear River Watch is working to protect and improve the water quality of the Cape Fear River Basin for all people through education, advocacy and action, with a proven track record of success. Follow them on Twitter @CapeFearRiver.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) is a 26-year-old organization that leads nationwide efforts to protect people from toxic chemicals by working with communities, consumers, workers, government and the private sector to seek and support business practices that are safer. . for public health and the environment. Learn more at ceh.org or on Twitter at @CenterEnvHealth.
The North Carolina Black Alliance is working toward systemic change at the state level by strengthening the network of elected officials representing communities of color across the state and partnering with a progressive, grassroots network on intersectional issues. Follow them on Twitter @NCBlackAlliance.
Democracy Green is a movement to connect frontline communities with immediate rapid response, rapid relief, mutual aid and building long-term political power in the wake of disasters, focusing on reforming our democracy through four justices: environmental and climatic. land and food, economic and political. Follow them on Facebook @DemocracyGreen.
Toxic-Free North Carolina is engaging the community in initiatives that advance health and environmental justice by advocating for safe alternatives to pesticides and harmful chemicals. Their vision is a toxic-free North Carolina that is part of a just and equitable global community where human and environmental health are valued, respected and enjoyed by all. Follow them on Twitter @ToxicFreeNC.
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international non-profit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and activists online. Since 1970, lawyers, scientists and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world’s natural resources, public health and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.
