Home / Environment / Forever Chemicals Poison Georgia's Waterways
Forever Chemicals Poison Georgia's Waterways
5 Feb
Summary
- PFAS chemicals seeped into water sources for decades.
- Carpet industry hid risks and misled regulators.
- Residents face health risks from contaminated water.
In northwest Georgia, the once-thriving carpet industry has left a toxic legacy of PFAS contamination, impacting water sources and public health for decades. Investigations have uncovered how major carpet manufacturers, including Shaw and Mohawk Industries, along with Dalton Utilities, deliberately concealed the dangers of 'forever chemicals' used for stain resistance.
Despite internal knowledge of PFAS accumulating in human blood and posing environmental risks, these companies allegedly misled regulators and the public. Wastewater from mills, containing these persistent chemicals, was discharged into rivers, contaminating drinking water for hundreds of thousands across Georgia and eastern Alabama.
Residents like Dolly Baker and Faye Jackson are now experiencing alarming levels of PFAS in their blood, leading to health concerns and a deep sense of betrayal. The EPA only began establishing drinking water protections in 2024, while prior administrations offered little regulatory oversight.
Lawsuits have been filed by affected communities, including Gadsden and Rome, seeking millions in damages and cleanup costs. Despite efforts to transition to newer chemical formulations, concerns persist about 'regrettable substitutes,' and the full extent of the contamination's impact on human health and the environment remains under investigation.
