High Levels of Cancer-Causing 'Forever Chemicals' Detected in Wilmington Residents' Blood
A study found high levels of PFAS 'forever chemicals' linked to cancer and infertility in Wilmington, North Carolina residents. Blood samples revealed widespread exposure to ultrashort-chain PFAS like TFA and PFMOAA, which persist in the body and water supply. These chemicals originate from industrial pollution at Chemours’ Fayetteville Works plant and pose significant health risks.
Researchers analyzed 119 archived blood samples from Wilmington residents collected between 2010 and 2016, detecting 34 different PFAS compounds, including five present in over 90% of samples: TFA, PFMOAA, PFOS, PFOA, and PFPrA. These substances disrupt hormones and increase cancer risk. The Cape Fear River, polluted since the 1980s by the nearby Chemours plant, contaminates local drinking water with ultrashort-chain PFAS such as TFA and PFMOAA at levels far exceeding safety guidelines, with TFA comprising 70% of PFAS in water samples at 110,000 ng/L concentration. Despite their small molecular size, TFA and PFMOAA accumulate in human blood and persist over time, signaling continual exposure. Current U.S. regulations do not enforce safe limits for these compounds, although animal studies link them to liver, developmental damage, and birth defects. This research highlights the long-term health risks for approximately 500,000 residents relying on this water supply and underscores the urgent need for updated regulatory standards and further investigation into ultrashort-chain PFAS toxicity.
