Source: WRAL
North Carolina residents are facing a growing health risk and a potential financial burden as state regulators delay setting limits on harmful chemicals known as PFAS.
Elizabeth Biser, head of the Department of Environmental Quality, expressed her frustration with the Republican members of the Environmental Management Commission (EMC), which has repeatedly blocked rules to limit the amount of PFAS companies can dump into waterways.
“All we’re asking is that the companies who are using PFAS not put it in the environment,” Biser told WRAL.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are linked to various health problems, including cancer. Millions of North Carolinians already have levels of PFAS in their drinking water exceeding new federal health advisories.
The EMC, a state board with Republican appointees, has declined to move forward with setting limits for PFAS in both surface and groundwater. Biser accuses commission members of using stalling tactics, despite the DEQ providing requested data, including a cost analysis.
This delay has serious consequences.
Firstly, it pushes the financial burden of cleaning up contaminated water onto residents. Cities like Fayetteville and Wilmington have already spent millions installing filtration systems, leading to higher water rates.
“It really is potentially a very significant cost impact to any water system that’s going to have to install a water treatment technology,” said Ed Buchan, Environmental Coordinator for the City of Raleigh.
Secondly, the longer regulations are delayed, the closer the state gets to a federal deadline for meeting PFAS limits. With hundreds of water systems needing upgrades, delays could force even steeper rate hikes.
“Do they need to actually count body bags before they’re willing to take action?,” Biser asked.
The next EMC meeting is on September 11th. Residents are encouraged to attend, either in-person or online, and voice their concerns about protecting their clean water.
