This is a podcast series, The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons From The Cape Fear.
The forever chemicals were dumped in the North Carolina river for nearly 40 years before being discovered. The series explores how a community responds when it is the epicenter of PFAS pollution.
The series is supported by Black & Veatch, ALTRA, and PFASComms.com
THE EPISODES
#165: The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons On Science
Dr. Detlef Knappe of North Carolina State University is one of the leading scientists who found PFAS in the river and has conducted continued research on its presence. In this episode, Detlef discusses discovering the chemicals, identifying sources of the pollution, and sharing information with government regulators and utilities. He explains how PFAS levels have been lowered, shares the lessons he learned about research, and offers advice for communities with concerns about the chemicals.
#168: The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons On Drinking Water
The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority in Wilmington, N.C. found itself in a difficult situation when high levels of PFAS were discovered in its water. How should the utility manage the forever chemicals, particularly in the absence of drinking water standards, information about health impacts, and a method of removal?
In this episode, Ken Waldroup, executive director of CFPUA, discusses the lessons learned by the utility. He talks about building a $43 million treatment system for PFAS, pursuing the company responsible for the pollution, and rebuilding public trust in the water coming from the tap.
#172: EPA's Move To Regulate PFAS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed drinking water regulations for several types of PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals that are pervasive in society and the environment and pose a risk to human health.
The announcement was made at an event in Wilmington, North Carolina and this episode features the remarks by EPA Administrator Michael Regan and commentary by waterloop host Travis Loop.
#175: The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons On Advocacy
PFAS poses difficult challenges on multiple fronts for environmental advocacy groups. High levels of PFAS in the Cape Fear River meant local advocates had to learn about the complex chemicals and at the same time provide information to concerned community members and take steps to address the pollution.
The work and the lessons learned are discussed in this podcast with Dana Sargent, Executive Director of Cape Fear River Watch, and Kemp Burdette, the Cape Fear Riverkeeper.
Dana and Kemp also talk about pursuing legal action against state regulators and the industrial polluter, working with the water utility and public health researchers, and advise for advocates dealing with PFAS in other communities.
#179: The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons On Health
The emergence of PFAS has epidemiologists and toxicologists working to understand the health impacts. Researchers in North Carolina are on the leading edge of the science and in this episode Dr. Jane Hoppin of North Carolina State University and Dr. Jamie DeWitt of East Carolina University discuss what is known about human health impacts.
They talk about studying the blood of people in the Cape Fear region and finding higher levels of PFAS than the average American, communicating those results to people, and sharing recommendations for monitoring health moving forward. Jane and Jamie share what they have learned as researchers and offer advice for other scientists working on PFAS.
#187: The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons On Regulations
Some of the big questions about PFAS are how industrial facilities have been able to discharge the chemicals and whether regulations like the Clean Water Act are being properly utilized.
Those regulatory issues and the situation for the Cape Fear River are discussed in this episode with Elizabeth Biser, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, and Geoff Gisler, Program Director at the Southern Environmental Law Center.
They talk about the requirements for compliance with a consent order and groundbreaking permit for a facility on the Cape Fear. Geoff summarizes the variety of PFAS litigation around the country and direction of the legal fight, while Elizabeth explains the response and approach by state regulators.
#200: The PFAS Puzzle: An Epilogue
In this episode, waterloop founder Travis Loop shares some of the pivotal soundbites from an array of experts including environmental scientists, utility managers, public health researchers, community advocates, and regulators. He also shares his professional perspective and personal commentary on PFAS pollution.
