Scientists track PFAS contamination to textile plant

BURLINGTON - Scientists in North Carolina have traced a major source of PFAS contamination in the state’s Piedmont region to a textile manufacturing plant discharging into the city of Burlington’s wastewater system.

The findings, by an environmental chemistry team at Duke University help explain years of elevated PFAS levels in local waterways and is being seen as a test‑bed for how regulators can tackle “forever chemicals” at source.