Establishing a Collaborative Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Testing Network in North Carolina

Abstract

In 2016, researchers from NC State University and the US EPA published data showing high levels of fluorochemical GenX in the Cape Fear River, a drinking water source for nearly 1.4 million. In June 2018, the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) appropriated $5,013,000 to create a network of 348 discrete public surface and well water sampling locations across the State. The PFAST (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Testing) Network is comprised of eight research teams from universities across the State (UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, UNC Wilmington, UNC Charlotte, NC A&T, East Carolina University, and Duke). The scopes of work for the five primary teams correlate to the specific study requirements mandated by the legislature as follows: PFAS water sampling and analysis, private well risk modeling, PFAS removal performance testing, air emissions and atmospheric deposition, and applied research. These core teams are assisted by three additional teams with data management, communications, and analytical support. This presentation will highlight initial PFAST Network data and illustrate the effectiveness of the Collaboratory’s unique approach addressing complex science policy issues through a legislative/university partnership.