Dalton, Georgia Carpet Industry Faces Toxic Legacy of 'Forever Chemicals'

AJC investigation reveals decades of PFAS contamination from carpet manufacturing in the 'Carpet Capital of the World'

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:55am

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A joint investigation by the AJC, Associated Press, and FRONTLINE (PBS) has uncovered the toxic legacy of 'forever chemicals' used in carpet manufacturing in Dalton, Georgia, the 'Carpet Capital of the World'. For decades, PFAS chemicals from carpet factories have leached into the local water supply, setting off a complex web of accountability among chemical manufacturers, carpet companies, public utilities, and regulators who were slow to act.

Why it matters

The Dalton area is a PFAS hot spot, with the toxic chemicals binding to human blood and lingering for years. These 'forever chemicals' have been linked to cancers and other health issues, leaving local residents feeling helpless and frustrated that no one is taking responsibility for the widespread contamination.

The details

The investigation reveals that major chemical brands like 3M and DuPont produced stain-resistant treatments containing PFAS for decades, while carpet manufacturers like Shaw Industries claim they weren't aware of how dangerous the compounds were. Meanwhile, local public utilities like Dalton Utilities coordinated with carpet executives to shield their companies from oversight, and state and federal regulators were slow to act on PFAS regulations. As a result, communities downstream of Dalton are still exposed to the contamination.

  • For decades, toxic chemicals used in carpet manufacturing have made their way into the local water supply around Dalton, Georgia.
  • In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency established drinking water protections for PFAS.
  • The Trump administration has announced plans to roll back some PFAS regulations and delay enforcement of others.

The players

3M

A major chemical manufacturer that produced stain-resistant chemical treatments containing PFAS for use in carpets for decades.

DuPont

Another major chemical manufacturer that produced stain-resistant chemical treatments containing PFAS for use in carpets for decades.

Shaw Industries

The world's largest carpet manufacturer, which claims the chemical companies did not inform them about the dangers of the PFAS-containing stain-resistant compounds they used.

Dalton Utilities

The public utility responsible for providing safe drinking water in the Dalton area, which the investigation reveals coordinated with carpet executives in private meetings to effectively shield their companies from oversight.

Environmental Protection Agency

Federal regulators who were slow to act on PFAS regulations, only establishing drinking water protections in 2024, while the Trump administration has announced plans to roll back some and delay enforcement of others.

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What they’re saying

“Federal regulators are requiring utilities in Georgia and across the country to outfit their water treatment systems with PFAS filtration by 2031.”

— Justin Price, AJC data reporter (AJC)

“Georgia is behind other states in addressing this crisis, some of which have invested millions of dollars into robust testing programs and have established PFAS limits on food and industrial waste.”

— Justin Price, AJC data reporter (AJC)

What’s next

The state of Georgia is behind other states in addressing the PFAS crisis, and local communities in North Georgia downstream of Dalton are still exposed to the contamination. Federal regulators are requiring utilities to install PFAS filtration systems by 2031, but more robust testing and regulation is needed to hold the chemical and carpet manufacturers accountable.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the complex web of responsibility and lack of oversight that has allowed toxic 'forever chemicals' from the carpet industry to contaminate the water supply in Dalton, Georgia for decades, leaving local residents feeling powerless and frustrated that no one is being held accountable.