A Duke University researcher said she found evidence of chemical compounds linked to some forms of cancer in a river that provides water to nearly 10% of the population of North Carolina. Heather Stapleton said the compounds are known as PFAS.
"The contaminants flowing from the Haw River end up in Lake Jordan, and some of them end up in the drinking water of Cary and Apex," she said.
According to Stapleton, the samples taken around Pittsboro measured levels that were 2-5 times higher than the national average of PFAS. More research needs to be done before they can determine the cause of contamination.
"We know these compounds are in there and the scientific evidence tells us they can be harmful," said Pittsboro Mayor Jim Nass.
Pittsboro upgraded its water treatment plant as a way to deal with the chemicals, CBS 17 reports.
"We've put in an activated carbon system into our plant, and that was successful in removing some, but not all, of the compounds," said Mayor Nass.
In addition to Pittsboro, Stapleton said similar high levels of PFAS were measured where the Haw River flows into the Cape Fear River, which has also faced problems with a compound known as Gen-X, according to CBS 17.
"Any community pulling drinking water between Pittsburg and Wilmington will have similar exposure," she said. "If you think of the people that includes, it's up to 1 million people or 10 percent of our population."
Stapleton suggests buying a filter as a way to provide protection from the chemicals in your home.
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