Contaminated wastewater dumped by a chemical plant on the Cape Fear River has been polluting the water for over 40 years, rendering it undrinkable for a 100-mile stretch.
In response to a petition from community groups in North Carolina, a United Nations panel has labeled this pollution as a human rights issue.
The U.N.’s involvement in this matter expands the global fight against forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, which have been a subject of controversy for years.
Chemours, the company that now operates the plant, and DuPont before them, have been accused of disregarding the rights and well-being of residents along the river, according to a panel of U.N. human rights experts.
Despite being aware of the toxic impacts of PFAS on human health and water quality, Chemours and DuPont continued the pollution, the U.N. panel stated.
Chemours defended its practices by stating its commitment to responsible manufacturing and production, highlighting the importance of their products for various technologies.
DuPont denies responsibility for the pollution from the Fayetteville plant, which it divested in 2015.
PFAS, used in a wide range of products, have been linked to various health issues, and newer alternatives like GenX are also showing similar hazards.
Research has connected PFAS exposure to serious health problems, prompting regulatory actions and fines against the Fayetteville plant.
The U.N. panel criticized both the E.P.A. and local regulators for failing to protect against human rights abuses related to the pollution in North Carolina.
Local activists are urging Chemours to prioritize cleaning up the pollution over expanding production.
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