PFAS in Cumberland County Homegrown Produce: Important Information for Residents
On Dec. 17, 2024, local media outlets reported on a study published on Nov. 20, 2024, in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, which found GenX and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminants in residential garden produce harvested near the Chemours Fayetteville Works Plant.
Cumberland County is committed to providing residents with information regarding this issue and has compiled the following resources from the State of North Carolina and other sources.
What Are PFAS and How Do They Affect Us?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of products, including firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, and waterproof materials. These chemicals can persist in the environment and do not easily break down. They can accumulate in living organisms, posing potential health risks. In Cumberland County, GenX, a specific type of PFAS, has been identified as a contaminant released from the Chemours plant.
While PFAS have been widely studied in drinking water, their presence in food, particularly homegrown produce, is still being researched. Scientists are working to understand how PFAS enter plants and the potential health risks associated with consuming contaminated food.
How do PFAS Enter Homegrown Produce?
Recent research by NC State University found that PFAS, including GenX, can be absorbed by plants grown in contaminated soil or watered with PFAS-contaminated water. The study, which sampled produce from residential gardens near the Chemours plant, found detectable levels of PFAS in several types of homegrown produce.
While water-rich produce, such as blackberries, blueberries, and figs, showed higher levels of contamination, the presence of PFAS can vary widely depending on factors like:
- Concentration of PFAS in the soil and water
- Type of soil in which plants are grown
- Type of produce or plant
- Specific part of the plant that is consumed (roots, fruits, etc.)
- Other nutrients and components in the soil
Should I Be Concerned About PFAS in My Garden?
The health effects of PFAS exposure from food, especially homegrown produce, are still being studied. Currently, there are no federal safety standards for PFAS levels in plants and there are no established "safe" level of PFAS in food. There are safety standards for drinking water, where regulatory limits exist.
If you live in Cumberland County and are concerned about your homegrown vegetables or fruits, there are steps you can take to better understand the risk.
The first step is to understand where your drinking water comes from and have your drinking water tested, if needed. Testing soil and fresh produce may provide additional information. Testing is the most reliable way to determine if PFAS are present and at what levels. While testing options are available, please note not all of them are free.
- Water Testing: If your water supply is potentially contaminated, consider using an alternative water source, such as filtered water, for watering your garden. For more information on well water testing, visit the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) website.
- Soil Testing: Clean soil or raised garden beds can help minimize PFAS uptake by plants. Soil testing for PFAS is available through private companies.
- Produce Testing: If you are particularly concerned about specific produce, testing samples can provide more information.
Current Research on PFAS in Produce
Researchers from NC State University collected samples of produce from five residential gardens near the Fayetteville Works plant to understand potential exposure risks for residents. The study found that PFAS were present in several types of produce, particularly water-rich fruits and vegetables. The researchers also calculated the amount of produce that could be safely consumed daily, considering chronic exposure risks.
For example, the study determined that children aged 3 to 6 could safely consume up to 289 grams (about 10 ounces) of contaminated produce daily without exceeding the chronic exposure limit. However, it is important to note that even small amounts of PFAS in food may have long-term health impacts, and researchers are still working to understand these risks.
How Can I Minimize the Risk of PFAS Exposure?
If you are growing food in an area potentially impacted by PFAS contamination, there are several precautions you can take to reduce the risk of exposure:
- Use Filtered Water: If your water source is potentially contaminated with PFAS, water your garden with filtered water rather than tap water.
- Raised Garden Beds: Build raised garden beds using clean soil, ensuring plant roots do not reach potentially contaminated soil underneath. PFAS-free compost may help reduce PFAS uptake by plants.
- Limit Direct Consumption of Contaminated Produce: Until more is known about the safety of consuming PFAS-contaminated produce, consider limiting your intake of homegrown fruits and vegetables, especially those grown in contaminated soil or watered with tainted water.
- Wash Produce Thoroughly: Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption to remove soil and dust particles that may contain PFAS or other contaminants.
- Peel Root Crops and Outer Leaves: For root crops and leafy vegetables, peeling or removing outer layers may reduce the amount of contamination to which you are exposed.
What’s Next?
Ongoing research into PFAS contamination in food and its health effects is critical to understanding how these chemicals impact public health. Researchers at NC State, along with state and local agencies, are continuing to study the impact of GenX and other PFAS chemicals on food safety and public health.
While there are no immediate safety standards for PFAS in food, Cumberland County encourages residents who have concerns to stay informed and take proactive steps in testing their water, soil, and produce. Cumberland County will continue to share guidance from the State and other sources as more research and information becomes available.
Additional Resources