We, the undersigned concerned residents of North Carolina, bring to your attention a critical matter regarding the presence of 8 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the drinking water sources and groundwater reservoirs that sustain the lives of ordinary North Carolinians throughout the state. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) and its esteemed team of scientific experts have unequivocally advised against the use and presence of these harmful substances in our water supplies.

It is imperative that the health and safety of our fellow North Carolinians be prioritized above all else. The NC DEQ has made a compelling recommendation to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (NC EMC) to enforce a comprehensive ban on all 8 identified PFAS. This legal prohibition is crucial to safeguarding public health and preventing further contamination of our precious water resources. Failure to implement this ban would not only render the NCDEQ powerless to address the issue effectively but also deprive North Carolina counties of the necessary resources to eliminate these toxic substances from our environment.

Honorable Commissioners, we implore you to transcend political divides and uphold the well-being of our communities. The decision to target the removal of only 3 out of the 8 PFAS compounds is a partial solution that favors certain counties while neglecting the broader impact on the entire water infrastructure of North Carolina.

We urge you to consider the broader implications of your decision. Protecting our aquatic ecosystems, supporting the livelihoods of fishermen, and ensuring the health and safety of our residents who rely on clean, potable water for their daily needs are paramount concerns that demand immediate action.

We respectfully urge you to vote in favor of banning PFOS, PFOA, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFBS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBA, and PFHxA. Your vote against all 8 PFAS compounds on September 13-14th will serve as a vital step towards safeguarding the well-being of all North Carolina residents and preserving the integrity of our environment.

In addition, we must address the misguided opposition from the NC Chamber of Commerce, which seeks to prioritize corporate interests over the well-being of North Carolina residents. The Chamber's resistance to the removal of PFAS, citing potential impacts on businesses operating in the state, is fundamentally flawed. Rather than hindering economic growth, requiring corporations to implement proper waste management practices can create job opportunities and generate economic revenue while preserving the environment and protecting communities.

Our focus, in this instance, is not on the corporations' process with PFAS but rather their inability to practice responsible waste management. We advocate for a balanced solution that entails both the removal of PFAS from our waterways and the enforcement of proper disposal methods by corporations to prevent recurring contamination of our drinking and groundwater sources.

This concern should not be dismissed; instead, it should be viewed as an opportunity to implement sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the economy. By working together to address these critical issues, we can ensure the well-being of our communities and the prosperity of our state for generations to come.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and for your commitment to the welfare of our state and its citizens.