You know the neighborhood has gone all to heck when the United Nations gets involved. While typically reserved for warzone intervention and humanitarian relief, the UN is about to break unchartered ground. Looking to pressure domestic regulating agencies into regulatory action, a North Carolina community group has turned to UN to investigate toxic PFAS pollution. It will be the first time the UN has investigated an American state. The Wilmington and greater Cape Fear community claim that a regional chemical manufacturer is pumping tons of PFAS, or forever chemicals, into the watershed. Traces of the toxic particulates were found in everything from drinking water to beach foam. The residents must contend with “an environmental human rights crisis…involving human exposure to toxic chemicals,” according to the group. The alleged perpetrator of this egregious pollution must now determine how to avoid OSHA penalties and the fallout of negative publicity for years to come.
The Dangers of PFAS and Forever Chemicals
PFAS, or forever chemicals, have been linked to multiple types of cancers, thyroid problems, liver issues and other wide range of birth defects. While originally engineered to protect cookware from damages caused by water and heat, the manmade chemical compounds have altered the lives of millions of Americans who must now deal with the health effects caused by negligent pollution. Turning to the UN for relief from an environmental crisis was the last recourse in a list of options thoroughly exhausted by the community, including pleading with the EPA for regulatory oversight.
We’re nearly six years into this and my kids still go to a school that has water with high levels of PFAS,” she added. “Everyone is aware of the problem … and is outraged, and we’re all asking, ‘Why is this still going on?
A concerned Wilmington, NC resident.
The manufacturer at the center of what has now become an international controversy, is the world’s largest PFAS producer. For the past 40 years, about half a million residents in the coastal community have unknowingly consumed and come in contact with dangerously high levels of PFAS. Even the food grown by locals and the beaches frequented by millions have tourists annually have been dangerously exposed to the carcinogens. Any corrective action to the issue might come far too late as epidemiologists have repeatedly refused to investigate anecdotally high cancer rates in the region and an increasing number of reported birth defects.
Avoid OSHA Penalties at All Costs
Citizens of the besieged communities won’t be the only ones affected by long-time PFAS exposure. Chemical engineers and industrial foremen are at ground zero this domestic “bioweapon” lab. They’ll likely face decades of residual health problems related to direct and consistent exposure to forever chemicals. Needless to say, unknowingly working with such toxic chemicals without advising employees of the inherent risks associated with PFAS won’t be taken lightly by federal agencies. Aside from the health of the greater community, avoiding OSHA penalties at all costs should be a top priority for any manufacturer. Our fire-rated and non fire-rated chemical storage buildings can protect employees and staff from potentially toxic chemicals. By segregating known chemical aggregates linked to destruction from vulnerable staff can instill a sense of confidence and security within your workforce. Vigilant manufacturers that contain dangerous chemicals under lock and key and prevent accidental pollution will also avoid negative publicity and costly fines that could drain the expenses of any solvent business.
