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High levels of toxic chemicals in pets living near US manufacturing plant In Fayetteville, NC
[DNYUZ] Pets living near a PFAS manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina have concerning levels of the toxic chemicals in their blood, and show evidence of health effects linked to exposure, new research finds.Essentially, Forever Chemicals. PFAS were present in all 32 dog and 31 horse blood samples checked, and the findings provide evidence that human and animal exposures to the chemicals impacts their bodies, said Scott Belcher, a North Carolina State University researcher and co-author. "It is just consistent with what we’ve seen over and over again, and it makes the case clear that these are toxic compounds," he said. PFAS are a class of about 15,000 compounds typically used to make products across dozens of industries resistant to water, stains and heat. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not naturally break down, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver conditions, immune disorders, birth defects and other serious health problems. PFAS pollution from a Chemours plant in North Carolina has widely contaminated the soil, water and air for hundreds of square miles around the company’s Fayetteville Works plant, and residents say their exposure to the chemicals is behind elevated cancer levels and other serious health problems. Last year, a team led by Belcher found alligators in the region exposed to high levels of PFAS in the Cape Fear River exhibited signs of disease similar to lupus. Residents have also said they suspect their pets have gotten sick from exposure to the chemicals. Among them is Adrian Stokes, who last year told the Guardian he has watched helplessly as he, his cats and his dogs seemed to suffer from similar ailments. Posted by: Besoeker 2023-07-04 |
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