Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in sea foam along NC beaches, new study finds

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY-TV) — A new study recently found toxic levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in sea foam along North Carolina beaches.

According to Clean Cape Fear, new data revealed high levels of PFAS in samples taken from Oak Island and Carolina Beach State Park.

Unlike other water pollutants, most PFAS float on the water’s surface and after the mixing of wind and waves to create sea foam, these chemicals can become highly concentrated in foam blooms along the coast.

Emily Donovan, the Clean Cape Fear co-founder is warning residents to be aware of the toxic chemicals when they visit surrounding beaches.

“A lot of the feedback that we’ve gotten with this research is just really important concerning questions of ‘is it safe to go swimming in the ocean, is it safe to touch the foam?’ and the unfortunate thing right now is we really don’t know,” Donovan said.

Donovan said they hope these new findings will encourage state officials to further investigate the source of these chemicals and how they are impacting local beaches.