The Ohio River is the drinking water supply for more than 5 million people across six states—and The Chemours Washington Works facility in Parkersburg, WV applied for a permit modification to expand their manufacturing process and discharge more wastewater into the river.   

One of the chemicals used in their manufacturing process is hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), also known as GenX. GenX is a type of PFAS, which are a group of toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” because they don’t break down in our environment—or in our bodies.

Any amount of GenX released to the environment increases health and other risks for humans and the environment. Studies have shown that exposure to GenX has negative health effects on the liver, kidneys, immune system, and can even cause cancer. 

Low-income Parkersburg residents are already bearing the overwhelming burden of environmental harms, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and low-life expectancy. Approving this permit will increase injustice in Parkersburg. 

Join us in holding PFAS polluters accountable and tell WV DEP to strengthen Chemours’ discharge limitations for GenX chemicals by Wednesday, May 24th at 5pm.