Presence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Landfill-adjacent Surface Waters: Case Studies in Orange County and Sampson County, North Carolina

Walsh, Adam; Woods, Courtney G.; Cable, Pete

doi:10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.p-0884

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In 2018, the researchers and community residents completed a community asset inventory and needs assessment to identify community groups, organizations, and businesses that could support EJ efforts in Sampson County and increase advocacy for environmental regulations. Also, academic partners conducted surface water quality testing near the landfill to assess the extent to which contaminants were migrating into the surrounding environment [67]. In 2019, a grassroots organization called Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) was developed by local leaders with the goal of increasing community organizing and education around EJ issues within the county.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photovoice Reveals Residents’ Concerns for Air and Water Quality in Industry-Impacted Rural Community

Rimmler

Shaughnessy²,

Ellis³

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Rural communities of color in the southeastern U.S. experience a high burden of environmental hazards from concentrated industry placement. Community-engaged research and qualitative methods can improve our understanding of meaning-making in a community impacted by polluting facilities. This study applies the photovoice method to assess how a predominantly African American community in rural North Carolina, impacted by a landfill and confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), perceives their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Two research questions were developed with community-based partners: (a) How do environmental health concerns in this community influence residents’ perceptions of their HRQoL? and (b) How do community and county factors facilitate or inhibit community organizing around these concerns? Three photo assignment sessions were held to engage participants in discussions related to the research questions. Researchers analyzed discussion audio recordings and identified themes related to concerns about the following issues: health and quality of life, the landfill industry’s influence on community cohesion and self-determination, and actions to address environmental injustice in Sampson County. Photovoice benefits community-engaged researchers by providing a process for assessing the research interests of a community. Photovoice also serves community organizers by providing residents with a structured way to discuss their lived experiences and strategize ways to reduce hazard exposure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photovoice Reveals Residents’ Concerns for Air and Water Quality in Industry-Impacted Rural Community

Rimmler

Shaughnessy²,

Ellis³

et al. 2023

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Presence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Landfill Adjacent Surface Waters in North Carolina

Walsh

Woods

2023

IJERPH

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Landfills pose an important public health risk, especially in historically disenfranchised communities that are disproportionately sited for landfills and in rural areas where private wells may be impacted. Landfills are major sources of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that migrate into the surrounding environment. This study characterized PFAS in surface waters adjacent to two landfills, one in Sampson County (SC) and one in Orange County (OC) in North Carolina. In addition to municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste, the landfill in SC accepts industrial sludge from a chemical plant that produces proprietary PFAS. Over four months, 35 surface water samples were collected at upstream, landfill-adjacent, and downstream/downgradient sites. Thirty-four PFAS were analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy. Of those, six novel and six legacy PFAS were detected. Legacy PFAS were detected in surface water near both landfills, with the highest concentrations adjacent to the landfill. Novel PFAS were only detected in surface water near the SC landfill and showed the highest concentrations adjacent to the landfill, indicating offsite migration of PFAS. These findings support the need for more comprehensive and frequent monitoring of groundwater and surface water wells near landfills and stricter regulation regarding the landfilling of industrial materials.

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Presence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Landfill-adjacent Surface Waters: Case Studies in Orange County and Sampson County, North Carolina

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Photovoice Reveals Residents’ Concerns for Air and Water Quality in Industry-Impacted Rural Community

Photovoice Reveals Residents’ Concerns for Air and Water Quality in Industry-Impacted Rural Community

Presence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Landfill Adjacent Surface Waters in North Carolina

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