In February, the EPA placed PFOA on the water contaminant candidate list. If the agency approves the action, PFOA could potentially require monitoring.

Currently, there are no PFOA surface water regulations. In other words, current PFOA emissions into the Conasauga are completely legal. Carpet industry executives have indicated they will not change any operations until rules and guidelines are established for PFOA. The industry also disputes that there are known PFOA human health effects. The President of the Carpet and Rug Institute, Werner Braun, says even if he hypothetically accepted PFOA could be a health risk and should be monitored, there's no regulatory guidance from the EPA about what levels are dangerous.

"I don't know how hard to look and what level to look at. Since the EPA has not set water criteria numbers, then you have no way in putting the numbers in perspective."

A Source of Pride

These are hard economic times for the carpet industry. There have been more than fourteen hundred flooring jobs lost since December, and unemployment rates in Dalton have spiked, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. The PFOA controversy cuts right into a symbol of pride and economic stability. The chemical is a manufacturing byproduct of STAINMASTER, one of the industry's most recognizable brands. There are no health risks associated with the carpet itself.

Many residents, like Wes Forester, are dependent on the carpet industry. Forester has two son in laws that have recently lost pay because of the economic slow down. He says he "doubts" the industry would knowingly flush something that's harmful.

Forester is upset with the government, however. He says they should warn residents about the contamination.

"The government is supposed to protect us, I don't trust them…I hate to say it, but I mean it."

Yet, the industry has been approached to help with research efforts. This research could lead to monitoring standards or even regulation. And, as EPA documents show, the industry has declined.