South Raleigh News

Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson took steps to support the establishment of nationwide drinking standards for PFAS chemicals. These standards require public water systems to test and treat drinking water for these contaminants.

"Every person deserves clean drinking water," stated Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "North Carolinians know all too well how damaging PFAS can be to people’s health and our natural resources. These standards help protect people from these forever chemicals, and I’m fighting to keep them in place."

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in manufacturing that do not degrade and pose toxicity risks to humans and animals. Historically used in airports, fire departments, and various consumer products, PFAS exposure is linked to serious health issues like cancer. Research suggests that at least 2.5 million North Carolinians access drinking water with PFAS levels exceeding EPA's standards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a rule under the Safe Drinking Water Act expanding protections by setting enforceable limits for six PFAS chemicals, including GenX. Today, Attorney General Jackson and other attorneys general filed a brief defending this rule in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, arguing it enhances public health and complies with procedural requirements.

The Department of Justice is investigating companies responsible for PFAS contamination in North Carolina, filing lawsuits against DuPont and Chemours over contamination affecting the Cape Fear River Basin communities as well as additional lawsuits against 14 companies producing AFFF—a fire suppressant containing PFAS.

Attorney General Jackson is joined by Attorneys General from Connecticut, California, New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin in filing this brief.

A copy of the brief is available here.