Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 22nd Feb. UNEP on Wednesday reported that the US companies such as the DuPont and Chemours chemical are dumping toxic so-called “forever chemicals” into the local environment, completely disregarding the rights and well-being of residents along the lower Cape Fear River in North Carolina.
Group of UN human rights experts released a statement warned of the dangerous effects from the chemicals, commonly referred to as PFAs, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, and said members of impacted communities have reportedly been denied access to clean and safe water for decades.
PFAs come from products such as shampoo, nail polish and the synthetic coating on carpets or fabrics, they stated.
They are known as forever chemicals because they do not easily degrade in nature and can cause harm for decades, even centuries.
The experts said that they continue to discharge them, even though the companies are aware of the toxic impact of PFAs.
They raised alarm over exports of PFAs and hazardous waste from the Netherlands to the United States, in apparent breach of international law.
The experts said enforcement and remediation measures have been inadequate where legal action has been taken against the two companies.
“Health and environmental regulators in the United States have fallen short in their duty to protect against business-related human rights abuses, including providing the public – particularly affected communities in North Carolina – with the type and amount of information necessary to prevent harm and seek reparation,” they said.
The experts have raised these concerns with the US Government, which has yet to reply.
