GenX Coverage

UN group calls out Chemours for violating human rights, polluting the planet & lying about the danger of PFAS

A group of independent researchers appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council has accused Chemours of violating human rights by contaminating the environment with toxic chemicals

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate reporter

Cooper concerned about Chemours plan to import waste to NC

Gov. Cooper sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan Tuesday strongly urging EPA to reverse the decision to allow the import of waste material containing GenX to the Chemours Fayetteville Works facility.

EPA pauses approval for Chemours to import foreign GenX waste to NC

Gov. Cooper sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan Tuesday strongly urging EPA to reverse the decision to allow the import of waste material containing GenX to the Chemours Fayetteville Works facility.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Rollback on environmental regulations clears NC Senate, with biggest concern removed

Lawmakers removed the most controversial section of a regulatory reform bill, but environmentalists still have concerns.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

'Polluter's wish list' moving in NC legislature

A bill environmental lawyers describe as a "polluters' wish list" is set to move forward at the General Assembly, potentially making it harder for the state to regulate so-called forever chemicals in drinking water supplies.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

No timeline for public water at two Cumberland County schools

Students at Gray's Creek Elementary and Alderman Road Elementary schools in Cumberland County have been drinking bottled water for three years due to safety concerns after thousands of wells in the area were tainted with "forever chemicals" from a Chemours plant. Now, concerned families are asking for a more permanent solution.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change reporter

Residents want answers and accountability for toxic chemicals in NC drinking water

Years after chemicals made by Chemours polluted drinking water for hundreds of thousands in North Carolina, many residents are still fighting to get access to clean water.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

EPA sets stricter standards for GenX, other 'forever chemicals' in NC drinking water

The EPA today announced new stricter health standards for GenX and two other so-called "forever chemicals" that are polluting North Carolina's drinking water. Those new standards could lead to cleaner, safer water in your home and across the country.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Researchers make strides in five years since GenX first reported in Cape Fear River

North Carolina-based researchers have worked diligently to find some answers to questions about GenX these past five years.

Trista Talton, CoastalReview.org

NC lawmakers mull proposal to crack down on PFAS contamination

House Bill 1095 seeks to set safe drinking water standards and force chemical manufacturers to pay for upgrades and cleanup rather than public water system ratepayers.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

EPA to set drinking water standard for 'forever chemicals,' require makers to test for it in environment

The Biden administration said Monday it is launching a broad strategy to regulate toxic industrial compounds associated with serious health conditions that are used in products ranging from cookware to carpets and firefighting foams.

EPA unveils strategy to regulate toxic 'forever chemicals'

The Biden administration said Monday it is launching a broad strategy to regulate toxic industrial compounds associated with serious health conditions that are used in products ranging from cookware to carpets and firefighting foams.

By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

State struggles to understand impact on health, environment from man-made chemicals

On Monday, Frannie Nilsen, a toxicologist at the state Department of Environmental Quality, told the agency's science advisory board that Gen X and four other PFAS compounds show up in more than half the wells they sampled near the Chemours plants in Bladen and Cumberland counties.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Cumberland County commissioners push for clean, safe water

Cumberland County officials are considering taking legal action against Chemours to ensure safe drinking water for residents in the county.

Cumberland County hires legal team to address GenX contamination

Cumberland County Commissioners are hiring legal counsel to possibly take action against a company that has been linked to contaminating the county's water supply.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

NC fines Chemours over improper treatment systems along Cape Fear River

North Carolina regulators fined The Chemours Co. nearly $200,000 on Wednesday for failing to properly construct and install water treatment measures at its Fayetteville Works plant on the Cape Fear River, the Fayetteville Observer reported.

Deal struck to stop GenX runoff at NC's Chemours plant

State regulators, environmental groups, company back the deal, say it will protect Cape Fear River.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC Attorney General brings in national law firm for PFAS investigation

Attorney General Josh Stein announced a "formal investigation" this week, but didn't mention state will partner with outside legal team that has brought 20-plus cases.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

EPA report: Inspectors didn't police GenX limit because they didn't know about it

For most of a decade, the EPA relied on the company to police itself on PFAS chemical rules because inspectors weren't told about them.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Federal grand jury wraps with no criminal charges for Chemours

Company that makes GenX in Cumberland County tells shareholders federal investigators are closing the file without charges.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Actor turns spotlight on contaminated water

Actor Mark Ruffalo was in Raleigh on Wednesday to promote a new film while also raising awareness about chemicals and drinking water.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

NC has high levels of 'forever chemicals' in water

Actor Mark Ruffalo was in Raleigh on Wednesday to promote a new film while also raising awareness about chemicals and drinking water.

Report shines light on decade of budget cuts for NC environmental regulators

Some of the steepest cuts in the country came in North Carolina, according to a state-by-state analysis.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Report: Extremely high levels of GenX-like chemicals in Wilmington drinking water for years

Samples of water from the Cape Fear River near Wilmington's drinking water intake showed astronomically high levels of toxic chemicals from an upstream plant, according to a report published Wednesday by NC Policy Watch.

Raleigh researchers tag gators orange in Wilmington

At Greenfield Lake, researchers are catching alligators and bringing them to shore where they take a blood sample and measurements. The blood will then be tested to determine the concentration of GenX and other chemicals. (Video from WECT)