The Daily Tar Heel

Serving the students and the University community since 1893

Friday June 2nd

2020 Coronavirus Outbreak


DTH Photo Illustration. Parts of southeast North Carolina have chemicals in the water that may contribute to more severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Chemicals in some North Carolina drinking water may worsen COVID-19 effects

These chemicals, called GenX, are present in the Cape Fear River and could be putting residents at risk by suppressing their immune systems and causing other health issues.  GenX is a member of a family of human-made chemical compounds known as PFAS. GenX exposure is associated with increased risk of health problems in animal studies, including issues in the kidney, liver, immune system and others. Research has shown from human and animal studies that PFAS exposure may reduce antibody response to vaccines and may reduce infectious disease resistance.

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