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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

CoastLine: Duke University study shows fish in the Lower Cape Fear River are more contaminated than we thought -- and people are eating those fish

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Fish consumption advisories have been dangerously out-of-date -- until this newest Duke University study that tested for contaminants in fish tissue.

ICYMI: Scientists out of Duke University say fish in the Lower Cape Fear River are more contaminated than previously thought, and fish consumption advisories have been dangerously outdated. They've also learned that the people who fish from the river are not necessarily doing it for sport. People are eating the fish and sharing it with others, and in this episode of CoastLine, we'll learn which fish are safer and how to cook them to minimize contaminants

If you live in the Cape Fear region, you probably know that the Lower Cape Fear River is polluted. “Impaired” is the term environmental officials like to use. You might also know that part of the pollution problem is courtesy of Chemours, formerly DuPont, releasing a multi-decadal load of unregulated, toxic chemical compounds into the river – including the carcinogenic GenX. Many of these chemicals cannot be removed through traditional water treatment methods.

Because the Cape Fear River is an important source of drinking water for thousands of people in southeastern North Carolina, Brunswick County has begun work on a reverse osmosis water treatment plant. Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is constructing granular activated carbon filters to remove more of these emerging contaminants. CFPUA filed a lawsuit against Chemours and Dupont in 2017. According to the New Hanover County water utility, the expected trial date is not until the summer of 2023.

But Chemours / DuPont is not the only polluter. And contaminated drinking water is not the only serious impact.

People have fished the Lower Cape Fear River for decades, and according to a new study out of Duke University, that fishing is often not just sport. Duke researchers found that people who catch fish from the Cape Fear River often consume the fish and share it with others.

Duke University Superfund Research Center

Scientists have also discovered that some of these fish are more contaminated than previously thought, and fish consumption advisories have been dangerously outdated. The potential impacts for humans from over-consumption of these fish include neurological damage and cancer.

Duke University Superfund Research Center

On this episode of CoastLine, we’ll learn about the Duke University study, what it means for you, and how you can make healthier fish choices and prepare your fish to minimize the contaminant load.

Duke University Superfund Research Center

Guests:

Dr. Mozhgon Rajaee, PhD, Assistant Professor, Public Health, Oakland University

Chiara Klein, Program Coordinator for Community Engagement, Duke University Superfund Research Center

Dean Neff, Chef and Owner, Seabird Restaurant, Wilmington, NC

Go Fish Fest! Eating Safer from the Lower Cape Fear River at New Hanover County Arboretum

Come enjoy a family-friendly day of music, games, speakers, good food, cooking demonstrations, and learn how to make safer choices when eating fish from the Cape Fear River!

Resources:

Stop, Check, Enjoy information:

https://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/superfundcec/fish/

https://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/superfundcec/fish/stop-check-enjoy-campaign-materials/

Current Fish Consumption Advisories for North Carolina:

https://epi.ncpublichealth.com/oee/fish/advisories.html

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.