By Erin Smith
The Southern Environmental Policy Law Center and Cape Fear River Watch, an environmental group from Wilmington, have filed a lawsuit against Chemours and the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The lawsuit was filed in New Hanover County Superior Court on Friday.
The lawsuit demands the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), stop Chemours from releasing the Chemical GenX and other similar compounds into the Cape Fear River and the air. According to the filing, on June 15, 2018, the Department of Environmental Quality refused to take any action following a request from Cape Fear River Watch for the department to use its regulatory authority to prevent Chemours from continuing to release GenX and similar compounds into the air and water.
According to a release from the Southern Environmental Law Center, GenX has now been found in 763 private wells within a five mile radius of the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant. Researchers are attempting to find methods to remove the GenX and other PFAS compounds from drinking water.
The lawsuit alleges Chemours is continuing to release GenX and other PFAS chemicals into the air and water through “…stack emissions, leaking pipes, ditches and unlined, leaking pits.”
GenX is a PFAS compound that is in the process of manufacturing non-stick coatings. It is a health concern because it has been linked to cancer of the kidneys and testicles as well liver problems.
Chemours conducted a public meeting in June to address concerns and update residents about measures the company is taking to reduce its emissions of GenX. According to reports, many attending the meeting were skeptical of the company’s information. North Carolina officials along with local elected leaders have conducted numerous meetings to update residents regarding the progress of a state investigation into the release of GenX into the Cape Fear River.
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