Superfund Research Program

“Lacey Brown, a co-researcher on the project, works with an undergraduate student in the lab to extract PFAS from water samples. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Weed)

When North Carolina communities were concerned about possible per- and polyflourylalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, researchers and community engagement specialists from the North Carolina State University (NC State) SRP Center worked with community partners to test drinking water and share results. PFAS have been linked to adverse health effects like developmental delays in children, decreased fertility, and increased risk for some cancers.

The researchers trained three local environmental nonprofits to collect water samples from the Cape Fear River. Using cutting-edge mass spectrometry methods, the scientists detected PFAS levels above Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant levels in half of the samples. Then, community engagement and research translation teams summarized and visualized the data for dissemination to local residents.

"The partnership with NC State through this sampling has provided essential information to our impacted community members about the safety of their drinking water,” stated Emily Sutton, a community partner involved in the effort.

To read this story and learn about other environmental health outreach efforts, please read the latest Partnerships for Environmental Public Health newsletter.