Health official: Homes with GenX-contaminated wells need public water

Residents who have private wells contaminated with a potentially cancer causing chemical need access to a public water system, Cumberland County’s environmental health director said Tuesday.
More than 150 wells around the Chemours plant just across the Bladen County line have elevated levels of GenX, a compound that has been linked to several forms of cancer in animal studies.
Daniel Ortiz, the environmental health director for Cumberland County, talked to the county Board of Health about the contamination at its meeting.
Ortiz said county commissioners are right to make running water lines to the area a priority.
Ortiz said the residents need public water, even though Chemours is testing filters on four houses in the area.
Chemours makes GenX at the plant.
In other action at the Health Board meeting Tuesday, board members had a lively discussion after Dr. William Philbrick, board chairman, talked about an email he had received that he thought was written by county commissioners.
The Health Department worked out a partnership in September with Stedman-Wade Health Services to reopen them on a part-time basis.
She said some residents who use the Health Department aren’t happy with the services.
Philbrick thanked Baker and several people with her for coming to the meeting.

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