1 4 dioxane

New DEQ data show ‘staggering’ levels of PFAS in Cape Fear River basin

February 3, 2020 by Greg Barnes

New DEQ data show ‘staggering’ levels of PFAS in Cape Fear River basin - North Carolina Health News

The DEQ required 25 utilities in the basin to test for “forever chemicals” at their sewer treatment plants for three months. One scientist called the results of those tests “incredibly high.”

By Greg Barnes A water sample taken in September from the Sanford sewage treatment plant that discharges into Deep River uncovered “staggering” concentrations of forever chemicals, newly released documents from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality reveal. The sample contained perfluorooctanesulfonic acid — or PFOS — measuring 1,000 parts per trillion. That is more than […]

shows white fireworks against a dark sky. 2019, 2020

NC health trends and policies to watch for in 2020

January 3, 2020 by Editor

NC health trends and policies to watch for in 2020 - North Carolina Health News

We asked our reporters to predict the biggest developments in health in the state this coming year. Today, we look ahead on Medicaid transformation, environmental policy, mental health and more.

By North Carolina Health News staff Our reporters explored some of the biggest topics in North Carolina’s health arena from Medicaid managed care to mental health in prisons, to the state’s opioid crisis. Here is a sampling of the topics they’ll be monitoring in the coming year: Medicaid battles continue with a January mini session […]

shows a group of people gathered on a graffiti covered bridge, they're working with equipment that's on the ground.

What stories grabbed you in 2019? NC Health News most-read stories of the year, continued.

December 31, 2019 by Editor

What stories grabbed you in 2019? NC Health News most-read stories of the year, continued. - North Carolina Health News

NC Health News published more than 300 stories in 2019. These are rest of the topics which were widely read, shared and commented on.

By NC Health News staff PFAS, 1,4 dioxane still troubling NC waters In the Wilmington area, the reaction was swift to news in 2017 that potentially unhealthy levels of GenX and other “forever chemicals” had been found in drinking water drawn from the Cape Fear River. There, officials had someone to blame. The state Department […]

Several students sit on a sidewalk, they are all working on a PFAS project together

Raleigh students take on PFAS pollution

November 21, 2019 by Greg Barnes

Raleigh students take on PFAS pollution - North Carolina Health News

Ten students at The Exploris School, a charter school in Raleigh, hope their project on forever chemicals will help bring awareness to the issue and get industries to stop polluting the state’s waterways.

By Greg Barnes Many eighth-graders at The Exploris School in downtown Raleigh had never heard of forever chemicals before they began their clean water project earlier this year. Now they are on a mission to help educate people in nearby communities about drinking water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, and […]

A municipal drinking water plant. Unlike at a private well, water is treated for bactria and for chemicals such as 1.4 dioxane at a central location, then pumped through pipes to residents. This can symbolize 1,4 dioxane contamination and clean water.

DEQ records show repeated releases of probable carcinogen into Haw River

November 19, 2019 by Greg Barnes

DEQ records show repeated releases of probable carcinogen into Haw River - North Carolina Health News

DEQ cites Greensboro and Reidsville for failing to report recent releases of 1,4 dioxane, a probable carcinogen, but newly released data show multiple discharges for almost two years.

By Greg Barnes For nearly two years, state regulators have required Greensboro and Reidsville to monitor monthly for the probable carcinogen 1,4 dioxane at their wastewater treatment plants. The data, which the state never made public before Friday, show alarmingly high concentrations of the chemical being released repeatedly into the Haw River from December 2017 […]

Another dump of carcinogenic chemicals in the Haw, Cape Fear basin

October 23, 2019 by Greg Barnes

Another dump of carcinogenic chemicals in the Haw, Cape Fear basin - North Carolina Health News

Two months after the contaminant was detected at Greensboro’s wastewater treatment plant, it has been found again, this time in Reidsville in an even higher concentration.

By Greg Barnes The state Department of Environmental Quality said today that it has notified public water utilities downstream of Reidsville that another discharge of the likely carcinogen 1,4 dioxane has again fouled the Cape Fear River basin. It is the second known release of a large volume of the chemical into the basin since […]

a crowd of people in a room sit to listen intently to a discussion about dioxane and other contaminants

Drinking water contamination draws a crowd at Pittsboro forum

October 18, 2019 by Greg Barnes

Drinking water contamination draws a crowd at Pittsboro forum - North Carolina Health News

A Greensboro company responsible for the recent release of 1,4 dioxane says it handled the wastewater for another company that failed to reveal the contaminant.

By Greg Barnes Roughly 200 people turned out Wednesday evening for a forum in Pittsboro to learn more about contaminants in the town’s drinking water. Those who spoke asked state regulators and university researchers about the water coming out of their taps. Whether they needed filtration systems in their homes. Whether it’s safe to eat […]

DEQ identifies Greensboro company responsible for discharging chemical

October 15, 2019 by Greg Barnes

DEQ identifies Greensboro company responsible for discharging chemical - North Carolina Health News

DEQ initiates weekly sampling for the likely carcinogen 1,4 dioxane at Greensboro’s wastewater treatment plant.

By Greg Barnes Shamrock Environmental Corp. is the Greensboro company responsible for discharging an unspecified amount of the likely carcinogen 1,4 dioxane into the Cape Fear River basin, the state Department of Environmental Quality said in a statement released this afternoon. Officials with Shamrock Environmental were unable to be reached for comment. According to its […]

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