Contaminated Produce Raises Concerns Over PFAS Levels Near North Carolina Plant

A recent study has revealed alarming levels of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in produce harvested from home gardens near a chemical plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The research indicates that food may be a significant and often overlooked exposure route to these toxic compounds, which are associated with numerous health risks, including cancer and liver disease.

The peer-reviewed study analyzed produce from five gardens between 2013 and 2019, finding PFAS in all 53 samples tested. The chemical plant in question, operated by Chemours, has been identified as a likely source of contamination, primarily through air emissions. Detlef Knappe, a co-author and PFAS researcher at North Carolina State University, emphasized that communities near such facilities face unique exposure risks beyond contaminated drinking water.

Chemours has acknowledged the study's limited geographic scope and noted that the gardens were irrigated prior to the implementation of air pollution controls. Despite these measures, concerns remain over PFAS levels, particularly as certain fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries and strawberries, exhibited higher concentrations. For instance, consuming just ten blueberries from the tested gardens could expose a child to GenX, a prevalent PFAS compound, at levels exceeding federal safety limits.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts regular monitoring for PFAS in food, critics argue that its testing methodology underestimates the prevalence of these chemicals. In previous tests, the FDA detected PFAS in several produce items near the Chemours site but later revised its findings, raising suspicion about the agency's approach.

The study's findings underscore the need for further research into the health risks associated with PFAS, especially as these substances accumulate in the environment and the food supply. Knappe calls for more toxicity data to understand the full extent of contamination risks posed by PFAS.