TRT - Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Burlington, NC

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 HRT For Men Burlington, NC

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.

When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:

  • Facial Hair
  • Body Hair
  • Deeper Voice
  • Muscle Strength
  • Increased Libido
  • Muscle Density

As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.

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How Does TRT Work?

TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.

Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.

Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.

When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.

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What Causes Low T?

For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.

When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.

If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.

For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.

 Sermorelin Burlington, NC

Low Sex Drive

One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.

The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.

 TRT Burlington, NC

Inability to Achieve and Maintain an Erection

Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.

Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.

Hair Loss

 Hormone Replacement Burlington, NC

Loss of Strength and Muscle Mass

Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?

Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.

Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Burlington, NC, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.

Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Burlington, NC

Hair Loss

If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.

Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Burlington, NC, is now available to address hair loss for good.

While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.

 TRT For Men Burlington, NC

Gynecomastia

Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.

If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.

 HRT For Men Burlington, NC

Decreased Energy

Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.

If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.

Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.

 Human Growth Hormone Burlington, NC

Lack of Sleep

A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.

The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.

TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.

 Ipamorelin Burlington, NC

Depression

You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.

A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.

Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.

 Sermorelin Burlington, NC

Inability to Concentrate

Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.

However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.

Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.

 TRT Burlington, NC

Weight Gain

Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.

Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.

Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.

 TRT For Men Burlington, NC

What is Sermorelin?

Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.

 HRT For Men Burlington, NC

Benefits of Sermorelin

Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.

Benefits of Sermorelin include:

  • Better Immune Function
  • Improved Physical Performance
  • More Growth Hormone Production
  • Less Body Fat
  • Build More Lean Muscle
  • Better Sleep
 Human Growth Hormone Burlington, NC

What is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.

Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.

 Ipamorelin Burlington, NC

Benefits of Ipamorelin

One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.

Some of those benefits include:

  • Powerful Anti-Aging Properties
  • More Muscle Mass
  • Less Unsightly Body Fat
  • Deep, Restful Sleep
  • Increased Athletic Performance
  • More Energy
  • Less Recovery Time for Training Sessions and Injuries
  • Enhanced Overall Wellness and Health
  • No Significant Increase in Cortisol

Your New, Youthful Lease on Life Starts Here

Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.

Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!

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Latest News in Burlington, NC

For the second time in two months, Burlington discharged toxic 1,4-Dioxane into Haw River, Pittsboro’s drinking water supply

Update at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.: The Town of Pittsboro released the first sampling results for 1,4-Dioxane:The EPA has set a health advisory goal of 0.35 ppb of 1,4-Dioxane in rivers and streams and 35 ppb in drinking water. The EPA has not yet established a legally enforceable maximum level for drinking water. The 35 ppb figure is not as protective as that for rivers and streams. That’s not a scientific rationale, but a technical one: Because of the cost of upgraded treatment systems — in the tens...

Update at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.: The Town of Pittsboro released the first sampling results for 1,4-Dioxane:

The EPA has set a health advisory goal of 0.35 ppb of 1,4-Dioxane in rivers and streams and 35 ppb in drinking water. The EPA has not yet established a legally enforceable maximum level for drinking water. The 35 ppb figure is not as protective as that for rivers and streams. That’s not a scientific rationale, but a technical one: Because of the cost of upgraded treatment systems — in the tens of millions of dollars — most utilities could not achieve the more stringent goals.

“The Town is cautiously optimistic with these results, which indicate whether the “slug,” or concentrated area of 1,4 dioxane, has passed us and we had minimal uptake, or it is just now reaching us,” wrote town spokesman Colby Sawyer, in a press release. Additional test results are expected tomorrow. “Once we receive these results, we can determine if our 1,4 dioxane concentration is moving in a positive or negative direction.”

Update at 7:48 a.m.: Because of the uncertainty about the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in the town’s drinking water, the Town of Pittsboro and Chatham Marketplace, 480 Hillsboro St, are offering free reverse osmosis (RO) treated water to Pittsboro water customers and customers of Aqua NC who receive their water from the Town of Pittsboro. Customers may use Code 64261 to fill jugs and bottles for free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Customers should bring jugs and bottles from home, as only a limited supply is available for purchase at the store.

The Town of Pittsboro has ramped up its drinking water testing after the City of Burlington discharged a slug of toxic chemical 1,4-Dioxane — 1,300 times the EPA’s health advisory goal — into the Haw River. It is the second time Burlington has reported contaminating Pittsboro’s drinking water supply this year.

In a press release issued late Friday afternoon, Pittsboro spokesman Colby Sawyer said Burlington officials had notified the town at 1:30 p.m. that routine testing showed high levels of 1,4-Dioxane — 459 parts per billion — had been discharged from one of its wastewater treatment plants on Sept. 14. However, Burlington officials reportedly told their Pittsboro counterparts that the test results had only arrived that day — more than a week later.

1,4-Dioxane is a “probable” carcinogen, according to federal health authorities. The chemical is used in industrial processing and as a solvent.

The source of the 1,4-Dioxane was likely one of Burlington’s industrial customers that discharges its wastewater into the city sewer system. Since traditional treatment methods don’t remove 1,4-Dioxane, the chemical passed through Burlington’s wastewater treatment plant and entered the Haw.

Burlington is 30 miles upstream of Pittsboro.

Sawyer said Pittsboro officials still don’t know if the 1,4-Dioxane has already passed by the town or has yet to arrive. “When a release of this type occurs, most of the substance flows downstream together,” Sawyer said. “The dilution and speed of travel of this bulked substance, or slug, is based on how fast and at what volume the river is flowing.”

Because Pittsboro’s contracted testing labs don’t operate on the weekends, its results won’t be back until Monday or Tuesday. Without the data, “we are unsure of what impact this release has, is having, or will have on our water system.”

Pittsboro utilities staff are drawing only the minimum amount of water from the Haw to “keep the water system functional,” Sawyer said.

The town is encouraging its water customers to conserve water by reducing or eliminating non-essential uses, such as landscape irrigation, washing vehicles and filling swimming pools.

In July, Burlington’s Southside wastewater treatment plant released 1,4-Dioxane into the Haw, albeit at lower levels — 160 ppb, or 457 times the EPA goal for rivers and streams. It took about a week for the chemical to reach Pittsboro, which at the time, detected levels in drinking water at 11.9 ppb.

In 2020, the Haw River Assembly, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the City of Burlington reached a memorandum of agreement to identify sources of 1,4-Dioxane and to reduce its discharge. Burlington has not publicly announced which of its industrial customers is responsible for the high levels of 1,4-Dioxane discharges.

Local train schedule excludes Burlington Station from two of its routes

Revised train schedule is set to start July 10 Photo by Joseph Navin | Elon News NetworkElon University professor Ryan Johnson makes his way to work on Train 71 Piedmont from Durham at 7:02 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He arrives at the Burlington train station at 7:40 a.m. and then bikes the remaining four miles to Elon’s campus where he teaches classes all day.Through talking to a Burlington train stati...

Revised train schedule is set to start July 10

Photo by Joseph Navin | Elon News Network

Elon University professor Ryan Johnson makes his way to work on Train 71 Piedmont from Durham at 7:02 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He arrives at the Burlington train station at 7:40 a.m. and then bikes the remaining four miles to Elon’s campus where he teaches classes all day.

Through talking to a Burlington train station agent, Johnson learned the train he has been taking to work for the past five years will no longer stop at Burlington on the early morning route as well as two other stops, High Point and Salisbury — as of July 10.

“I understand making things express,” Johnson said. “But when they take routes that already exist that people depend upon for commuting, and then just remove them in order to save four minutes per station — they save four minutes — it struck me as really devastating. And now I may be forced to buy a car.”

Under the new train schedule, a stop at the Burlington station will not be included on Train 71 and Train 76, which are two out of 10 of the routes. Under the current train schedule, the first train from Raleigh arrives at Burlington Station before 8 a.m. Starting July 10, the first opportunity for commuters to get off at Burlington Station will be after 11 a.m.

Town of Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe said she believes this new schedule is “a real missed opportunity” for the Department of Transportation to support commuters and improve the North Carolina rail system.

“When we're taking away the ability for decent amounts of commuters to access work or play via train, I think that's just a real disservice,” Sharpe said.

The new schedule will include 10 daily routes from Raleigh to Charlotte every day in three hours, according to a North Carolina Department of Transportation press release.

Johnson said he regularly buys a 10 one-way trip ride pass between Durham and Burlington for $68. He said using this mode of transportation to commute to work is “very cheap compared to driving” and believes without this option, equity, sustainability and access are at risk for the Elon and Burlington communities.

“As someone who’s loved the train, supports the train and wants to increase access to the train for all North Carolinians —it really shocked me,” Johnson said.

John Stehlin, a professor at University of North Carolina, Greensboro, rides the train to work during the academic year. He researches the urban political economy as it relates to transportation and said the new train schedule is an issue of “regional equity.” Burlington and Salisbury are the lowest income communities in the train route, according to U.S. Census data.

“So you're cutting off that access, and the only real train that somebody could take for a traditional nine to five employment,” Stehlin said.

Beyond this concern, Stehlin believes increasing the frequency of trains would help the environment.

“It stitches these regions together in such a fundamental way and makes it possible for people to commute between these places without adding cars to the highway, without adding carbon emissions, without adding other pollution from driving,” Stehlin said.

Sharpe said her office reached out to Amtrak and other local officials but has not received much response. Though Sharpe is disappointed, she said she understands if low ridership from the Burlington station was a factor.

“Maybe they see that there's only a certain amount of people, and to them, it's not worth it for that amount of people,” Sharpe said. “I think that's unfortunate. I certainly understand if that is part of it. But it would have been nice for there to be more of an opportunity for discussion around it, rather than a decision being made without all of the key players involved.”

Liz Macam, communications officer for NCDOT’s Rail and Integrated Mobility Divisions, said she has spoken to several people from Elon University about the changes.

“We understand that some of the changes to some of the Piedmont schedules will have a negative impact on specific riders,” Macam said. “But overall, there were a variety of competing priorities and priorities and items that had to be taken into consideration.”

This is the first time the North Carolina Department of Transportation will be changing the train schedule in five years. According to Macam, the decision to change the schedule was made based on ridership data and trends by the North Carolina Department of Transportation board.

Macam declined to comment on whether the NCDOT is saving money by making fewer stops on certain routes.

According to NCDOT, more than 500,000 people used the NC By Train service last year, which is higher ridership than the company has seen in over 30 years. NC By Train is the train service that is operated by the NCDOT and its trains are staffed by Amtrak workers.

Johnson, Sharpe and Stehlin said they hope the NCDOT will consider not removing the stops at Burlington station.

Macam declined to comment on whether the board would consider adding the Burlington train station back into the two routes it's missing from.

“What I would like to see is more accessibility, even more service, a more frequent train,” Stehlin said. “Once you start having a train every hour because so many people want to use it, then maybe you start to have a couple of express trains, right? But I don't think we're there yet. And I don't know if kind of randomly excluding certain stops is the best way to grow the ridership that would get us there.”

Burlington will curb PFAS discharges, per legal settlement with Haw River Assembly

Levels of toxic PFAS in Burlington’s wastewater have decreased more than 6,000% over the past three years and are expected to decline further, the result of a settlement agreement between the City and the Haw River Assembly finalized this week.The agreement requires Burlington ensure its current and future industrial sources control PFAS discharges before they enter the city’s treatment plants or the Haw River, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represented the Haw River Assembly. The agreement requi...

Levels of toxic PFAS in Burlington’s wastewater have decreased more than 6,000% over the past three years and are expected to decline further, the result of a settlement agreement between the City and the Haw River Assembly finalized this week.

The agreement requires Burlington ensure its current and future industrial sources control PFAS discharges before they enter the city’s treatment plants or the Haw River, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represented the Haw River Assembly. The agreement requires new and expanding industrial sources to disclose their use or discharge of PFAS. It also requires the city and its industrial sources to conduct extensive sampling using the latest methods to detect all PFAS, including precursor chemicals that degrade into measurable PFAS. This data will be available to the public on the city’s webpage.

Exposure to even very low levels of PFAS, short for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, has been linked to multiple health problems, including thyroid and liver disorders, kidney and testicular cancers, immune system deficiencies, obesity, high cholesterol, and reproductive and fetal development problems. There at least 12,000 types of PFAS, and they are found in water-, stain-, and grease-resistant products, like furniture, carpeting, clothing, microwave popcorn bags and fast-food packaging. PFAS are also found in AFFF firefighting foam.

The Haw River has long been a dumping ground for PFAS pollution from upstream textile and manufacturing industries, Haw Riverkeeper Emily Sutton said.

“This agreement is a huge win for a cleaner, safer Haw River and downstream communities,” said Kelly Moser, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, in a prepared statement. “Now that we know the industrial sources of the PFAS in Burlington’s discharges, the city will take—and require its industrial sources to take—significant measures to prevent future pollution while reporting its results to the public.”

The City will also perform sampling to characterize the contribution of PFAS and other chemicals from residential customers. The City and the Haw River Assembly will continue to share sampling results, which Burlington will continue to post to its website.

A spokesperson for the City of Burlington called the agreement a “win-win for the City and HRA as well as the citizens of North Carolina residing in the Haw River watershed.”

In November 2019, the Haw River Assembly notified Burlington officials that it intended to sue over the illegal discharges of PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane, a probable carcinogen. Although PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane aren’t regulated in drinking water by the EPA or the state, the SELC argued the compounds are subject to provisions of the Clean Water Act, which covers rivers, streams and lakes.

In 2020, the parties formalized a memorandum of agreement that required Burlington to investigate potential sources of PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane that were discharging into the City’s wastewater treatment plants. The East plant, which was later found to be receiving PFAS in wastewater from industry, discharges directly into the Haw River, the drinking water supply for the Town of Pittsboro.

The South plant, which has issues with 1,4-Dioxane, discharges into Big Alamance Creek, a tributary of the Haw.

Burlington contracted with a third-party to investigate the sources of PFAS; the Haw River Assembly enlisted Duke University scientists to analyze the wastewater and identify the types of PFAS it contained.

The City pinpointed one of its industrial customers, Elevate Textiles, as its largest source of PFAS. The new settlement agreement requires the company to install a closed-loop system to capture contaminated wastewater from its production lines that make medical and military products. The new system will keep PFAS from entering Burlington’s sewer system.

Although those products require the use of PFAS, Elevate Textiles has started phasing out its use of the compounds for its other products, according to the SELC. That phase-out will be complete by June 15, 2025.

There are other known sources of PFAS that discharge to the Burlington wastewater treatment plants, including the textile manufacturer Shawmut Corporation. That company and future industrial customers will also be prohibited from discharging PFAS. (Unichem Specialty Chemicals reported it stopped production as of June 30.)

The Alamance County Landfill and the Republic Landfill are also PFAS sources. Leachate — liquid from the landfill that is collected in tanks — is sent to wastewater treatment plants. However, that leachate often contains PFAS from the disposal of consumer products. When rain falls on the landfill, it carries contaminants to the leachate system.

Reducing the amount of PFAS entering the wastewater treatment plant addresses another problem: biosolids. Utilities often contract with companies to haul off the sludge, which is then spread on agricultural fields as fertilizer. When it rains, the PFAS in the biosolids can seep into the groundwater, contaminating nearby wells — or run off the property and into creeks.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality regulates wastewater treatment plants, but the municipalities regulate their own industrial users. That arrangement can create a conflict because cities and counties depend in part on fees paid by those industries to discharge into the plants. In effect, utilities can be held economically hostage by industry, who can choose not to expand or locate in an area, and instead seek laxer regulations elsewhere.

Last week, Burlington’s South wastewater treatment plant discharged a slug of 1,4-Dioxane that measured 160 parts per billion into Big Alamance Creek — far above the state’s recommended level of 0.35 ppb for surface water. By the time the compound entered Pittsboro’s drinking water supply, concentrations downstream had been diluted to 11.9 ppb. The EPA has not established a maximum level of 1,4-Dioxane in drinking water, but has set a health advisory goal of 35 ppb. However, that level is far less protective than the goal set for the chemical in rivers and streams. Since traditional water treatment systems can’t remove the compound, utilities can’t achieve the more protective goal.

The recent incident was “a dramatic spike from previous levels reported by the city to Haw River Assembly,” according to the SELC, which ranged from less than one to a high of 14 parts per billion. “The investigation developed by SELC, Haw River Assembly, and the city to identify the city’s PFAS sources lays the groundwork for the city’s investigation into the source of the recent spike of 1,4-dioxane,” the SELC wrote.

That investigation is ongoing.

Tunnel below old Tarheel Army Missile Plant contains toxic contamination

Federal contractors believe unrelated sources also contributing to east Burlington pollutionA Cold War-era tunnel below the former Tarheel Army Missile Plant in east Burlington is a newly discovered source of toxic chemicals at the facility, according to a recent report by federal contractors. And based on sampling of a neighborhood stream, there could be other unrelated contamination sour...

Federal contractors believe unrelated sources also contributing to east Burlington pollution

A Cold War-era tunnel below the former Tarheel Army Missile Plant in east Burlington is a newly discovered source of toxic chemicals at the facility, according to a recent report by federal contractors. And based on sampling of a neighborhood stream, there could be other unrelated contamination sources near the plant that further burden the predominantly nonwhite and low-income neighborhood.

Tunnel water, soil and groundwater at the TAMP contain high levels of chemicals associated with chlorinated solvents, which were commonly used at the facility. These include TCE, PCE, benzene and vinyl chloride, all of which have been linked to cancer.

The 22-acre facility containing more a dozen dilapidated buildings and surrounded by a chain-link fence, closed in 1992. It has been vacant ever since.

NC Newsline published a special investigative series in 2021 on the history of the plant, where Western Electric conducted top-secret research and built Nike missile guidance systems on behalf of the Department of Defense.

Those weapons-related activities left serious environmental and public health hazards that still persist. A half dozen homes and duplexes abut the plant, which looms over their backyards.

The military is responsible for cleaning up the contamination below ground. David Tsui, who bought the property in 2018, is in charge of cleaning up contamination above ground, such as lead and asbestos in the buildings.

State and federal records indicate that Tsui would like to develop the site, not just for warehouse storage, but possibly apartments. To clean up the property for residential use would be a herculean — and expensive — undertaking because of the extensive pollution.

The tunnel runs north-south between Buildings 2 and 16, the latter of which backs to homes along Hilton Road. Contractors believe the tunnel is carrying contaminated groundwater from other parts of the property and discharging the pollutants beneath the neighborhood. Contractors cautioned that Tsui, or future property owners, not “dewater the tunnel” without further study. Otherwise, the tunnel would siphon more contaminated groundwater, which would need to be treated before being released. That would require a state permit, and one from the City of Burlington to send the treated water into the sewer system.

Deed restrictions currently forbid dewatering.

Hazardous vapors that off-gas from the contaminated groundwater are likely present inside many of the TAMP buildings, the report said. That’s important because Tsui has repeatedly failed to secure the site, state records show, and unhoused people live inside the buildings, whose roofs are also caving in.

Investigators have long known that contaminated groundwater has migrated from the TAMP property to beneath the neighborhood. Based on high solvent levels in the soil, the NC Department of Health and Human Services pleaded with the Army six years ago to test indoor air at nearby residences. Sampling did not occur until last year, and was not done indoors.

Outdoor sampling, which is also an acceptable testing method, was conducted near foundations of five properties. The results showed no solvent vapor levels above regulatory standards. Total petroleum hydrocarbons – a mixture of chemicals found in gasoline, fuel oil and similar products – were detected, but “there is no standard for this analyte,” the report reads, and the contractors made no further recommendations.

Solvents have entered a small, shallow stream that runs through the neighborhood and eventually feeds the Haw River, sampling data show. But based on monitoring well testing conducted last year, federal contractors believe additional sources could be contributing to the pollution. This includes two previous dry-cleaning sites, the old AT&T/Lucent building and the former Elder Hosiery Mills plant, which are within a block of the TAMP.

Federal contractors also suggested indoor air should be tested at the former Lucent building because of “vapor intrusion concerns,” according to the report.

Contractors also recommended further studies to understand the plume of underground contamination leaving the northwest portion of the TAMP that includes the Lucent property.

At many other sites contaminated with chlorinated solvents — dry cleaners, for example — the soil is excavated to eliminate the original source. If done correctly, that cuts off the contaminant flow and companies can tackle the groundwater pollution more easily.

For the TAMP site, federal contractors estimated the amount of soil to be excavated to range from 90 to 230 tons, although it could be more based on the margins of contamination. Nonetheless, these are “relatively small volumes that could be excavated quickly and effectively,” the report said.

If the site is excavated, it would be necessary to protect the neighborhood from contaminated dust and other potential pollution sources.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality approved the 2,200-page report’s findings. Next, the contractors will development cost estimates for several cleanup methods, including excavation only and excavation plus groundwater treatment. Those estimates could be finalized by the end of the year.

Burlington releases slug of 1,4-Dioxane into Haw River, enters Pittsboro drinking water

Briefs The City of Burlington’s south wastewater treatment plant released toxic 1,4-Dioxane into the Haw River, test results show, and the contamination reached Pittsboro’s drinking water supply.The Town of Pittsboro issued a press release at 9:30 Thursday night, reporting that on Monday the chemical was detected in treated drinking water at 11.9 parts per billion. The EPA has not established a maximum level of 1,4-Dioxane in drink...

Briefs

The City of Burlington’s south wastewater treatment plant released toxic 1,4-Dioxane into the Haw River, test results show, and the contamination reached Pittsboro’s drinking water supply.

The Town of Pittsboro issued a press release at 9:30 Thursday night, reporting that on Monday the chemical was detected in treated drinking water at 11.9 parts per billion. The EPA has not established a maximum level of 1,4-Dioxane in drinking water, but has set a health advisory goal of 35 ppb. However, that level is far less protective than the goal set for the chemical in rivers and streams, which is just 0.35 ppb.

Since traditional drinking water treatment can’t remove 1,4-Dioxane, it’s difficult for utilities without expensive advanced systems to meet the 0.35 ppb goal.

“It appears that a significant quantity of 1,4 dioxane was released into the Burlington wastewater treatment system and discharged into the Haw River before routine testing could indicate the presence of the substance in their discharge,” Colby Sawyer, Pittsboro’s public information officer wrote.

1,4-Dioxane is a “probable” carcinogen, according to federal health authorities.

The City of Burlington released the slug of 1,4-Dioxane into the Haw River about a week earlier than it arrived in Pittsboro. On July 17, testing showed the concentration of 1,4-Dioxane leaving the Burlington south plant was 160 ppb. A day later, the level had decreased to 86.9 ppb, and by July 19, it was 57.8 ppb.

“When a release of this type occurs, most of the substance flows downstream together,” Sawyer wrote. “The dilution and speed of travel of this bulked substance, or slug, is based on how fast and at what volume the river is flowing.”

Burlington is 30 miles upstream of Pittsboro.

The chemical entered Burlington’s wastewater treatment plant via one of the City’s industrial customers, although that company has not been publicly identified.

In 2020, the Haw River Assembly, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the City of Burlington reached a memorandum of agreement to identify sources of 1,4-Dioxane and to reduce its discharge.

Treated water recently taken from the Haw had higher levels of the chemical than water in holding tanks, which were below 2 ppb.

Test samples taken in Pittsboro on Wednesday indicate that the concentration of 1,4 dioxane in the Town’s finished water continues to decrease. That indicates the slug of 1,4-Dioxane “has likely already passed the Town’s water intake, meaning that concentrations will continue to decrease,” according to Sawyer.

However Pittsboro’s water treatment plant is drawing only the minimally required amounts from the Haw to keep the water system functional. The town is encouraging water customers within, or serviced by, the Town of Pittsboro to conserve water by reducing or eliminating non-essential water uses. These uses include landscape irrigation, washing vehicles and houses, filling pools.

“These water conservation measures are voluntary actions our customers can take to assist our water plant staff; there is no danger of losing the Town’s water supply,” Sawyer wrote.

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