By Taylor Holbrooks
In a collaboration that blends academic expertise with state regulatory initiatives, Ralph Mead, a distinguished geochemist at UNC-Wilmington, plays a pivotal role in reshaping per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulation in North Carolina. As one of four recipients of the Collaboratory’s North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Applied Research Fellowship, Mead plays a vital role in shaping PFAS regulation in North Carolina. His efforts also significantly contribute to the North Carolina PFAS Testing Network, an inter-university collaboration, established by the Collaboratory in 2018, that seeks to understand PFAS impacts in the State.
Leading the PFAST Network’s Air Emissions and Atmospheric Deposition team, Mead’s work underscores the inclusive nature of an initiative that prioritizes the well-being of the State’s communities at its core. The Network studies PFAS levels in drinking water and air samples, atmospheric transformation/occurrence, removal technologies, and assessing PFAS’s environmental and health impacts.
Mead’s role as a fellow with the DEQ highlights a collective commitment to bridge the gap between academic exploration and regulatory implementation. “My role as a fellow was interesting because it’s the first time I’ve been immersed in the regulatory side of things,” shared Mead, who sees this fellowship as a crucial step toward a more holistic approach to addressing PFAS in the State.
The fellowship empowers researchers to channel research directly into the hands of the public and state policymakers. This proactive involvement ensures that critical information informs not only state legislation but also elevates public understanding, laying the groundwork for a more informed and effective response to PFAS challenges in North Carolina. “The partnership of the Collaboratory and the state government has been an amazing thing to experience and be a part of,” said Mead.
This collaboration exemplifies the power of merging academic expertise with regulatory insight, forging a path toward comprehensive PFAS research and effective policy implementation. Mead recognizes the importance of aligning his research with public health interests. “It’s a collective effort to ensure that scientific exploration aligns with the goal to protect public health,” he remarked.
To conduct impactful research that holds significance for the State, most of Mead’s research initiatives feature collaborators from various disciplines and industries. A partnership with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority involves rigorous analysis of the presence of PFAS in both raw water – untreated, directly from its source – and treated water – processed to meet safety standards. This foundational research, performed by the Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry Research Laboratory, provides essential insights into current PFAS levels, guiding informed mitigation strategies for the safety of North Carolina’s communities.
As Mead delves into the presence of PFAS in sediment, how it biodegrades over time, and its accumulation in the ecosystem, this holistic approach examines the environmental impact of these substances.
Questions regarding the persistence of GenX—a PFAS substance associated with industrial processes—in sediments, its potential reintroduction, and bioaccumulation in oysters underscore the comprehensive nature of Mead’s research. Oysters, acting as bioindicators, play a pivotal role in understanding the bioaccumulation of PFAS. As filter feeders, they absorb contaminants from the water, providing valuable insights into how PFAS moves through aquatic ecosystems and the potential risk it poses to marine life and human consumers. This aspect of the research sheds light on the broader implications of PFAS contamination, influencing strategies for environmental protection and public health. Collaborating across disciplines and institutions, including with UNCW students, Mead’s work reaches beyond the laboratory, unraveling the complexities of PFAS dynamics to benefit public health.
Beyond the laboratory, Mead and his collaborative team actively work with policymakers to translate the complexity of PFAS. “We are really trying to distill the complicated problems of PFAS in a way that policymakers can inform the public of what is safe,” he emphasized. This commitment reflects a collective responsibility to communicate research findings transparently, ensuring that the broader community can actively engage in and benefit from the knowledge generated.
Mead envisions a future of partnerships across the State that can take a top-down approach to bring PFAS research to life and ensure that the well-being of North Carolina’s communities is at the forefront. “We want to try to be the research hub–To connect the different research groups within the State, from academic labs to the State entities,” he explained. This unified approach ensures inclusivity, where insights from various research entities contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of PFAS, fostering synergy in addressing multifaceted challenges that impact diverse communities.
North Carolina’s leadership in PFAS research within the U.S. is not the achievement of a singular entity. It is a collective triumph that positions the State at the forefront of PFAS research, showcasing a commitment to advancing knowledge and responding effectively to environmental challenges that impact communities statewide.
Mead pictures North Carolina taking a leadership role in continually advancing remediation efforts and mitigating impacts on human health. The ongoing research initiatives, including a forensic approach to point-source PFAS tracing, signify a shared commitment to pioneering research that addresses emerging challenges and benefits all residents of North Carolina. This fellowship stands as a testament to the inclusive nature of scientific exploration and regulatory action, ensuring that the research is done by the people, for the people, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the health and prosperity of North Carolina’s diverse communities.
Taylor Holbrooks recently graduated with a master’s in media and communications from the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Taylor has been an intern with the NC Collaboratory since the summer of 2023.