WILMINGTON, N.C. --  Researchers at UNC Wilmington are stepping up investigations into the effects of the unregulated chemical Genx.

Scientist are now using state funding to study the impacts Gen-X can have on the water and, by association, food.

They're particularly looking into effects on oysters which are natural water filters.

The study focuses on measuring levels of Genx in oysters from the Cape Fear Region.

Some seafood businesses are glad to hear that this study is happening.

"If things don't change there's a very real possibility that it starts affecting local business. Local restaurants use the water, I mean we get fish out of the water. If the water is bad people will remember that. People think about those kinds of things," says Motts Channel Seafood assistant manager Ethan Simpson.

Researchers say the study with Cape Fear water should last until August. 

Gen-X made headlines last summer when the Chemours' Fayetteville plant dumped unregulated toxins into the Cape Fear River. 

 

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