NC Researchers To Begin Testing For Gen X, Other Potential Toxins In Water And Air

Beginning next month, a team of more than 20 university researchers from across the state will begin sampling municipal water and air samples for potentially toxic compounds. It's part of a project funded by the General Assembly called The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory.

They're trying to measure the amount of various chemicals in the environment, including Gen X, which was detected in the Cape Fear River. Similar contaminants were also found in Greensboro's drinking water supply.

Jason Surratt, a professor with UNC Chapel Hill and lead investigator, says the project will help scientists monitor long-term changes in the state's water quality.

“This kind of study--what's exciting about it is--by collecting all of this initial baseline information about how prevalent these compounds are in our environment in North Carolina, this data could actually later be used to help inform regulatory standards down the road,” says Surratt.

Researchers will also sample some private wells and look at technology that's currently available to remove the compounds.

Results of the study will be shared with the public, which includes quarterly updates to state and federal regulatory agencies.

The final report will be delivered to the legislature in December 2019.

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