Forever Chemicals in North Carolina: A Story Archive

The DLC and HHIVE DLC labs at UNC Chapel Hill have begun a new collaboration to capture oral histories of North Carolinians affected by PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are a class of chemicals found in a variety of products, such as non-stick cookware, food containers, and firefighting foam. North Carolina's industrial and military endeavors have led to high levels of PFAS in our water systems, particularly in the Cape Fear watershed, which extends into 26 counties in North Carolina including Chatham County, a neighboring county of UNC. High levels of PFAS within the human body are now being linked to negative health outcomes, including cancer and fertility issues. The goal of our project is to conduct oral history interviews with people living in those communities and get their perspectives on the impact of PFAS on their lives.