FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- In an effort to reduce water and air emissions by 99 percent in 2019, chemical plant Chemours held a groundbreaking even October 23 for a new facility.

• Chemours makes household products and uses a compound called GenX to make them
• The chemical is reported to affect the air and water quality in areas exposed to the contaminant
• The plant is expected to be completed December 31, 2019

Chemours makes household products and uses a compound called GenX to make them. Researchers found GenX gives cancer to animals, but its effect on humans is unknown. The chemical is reported to affect the air and water quality in areas exposed to the contaminant.

Chemours said the new facility will fix the issue by disposing harmful chemicals, like GenX, the proper way.

"I think the word that I heard that kept resounding with me in the speeches I heard was commitment," North Carolina Representative for the 45th District, John Szoka said. "I mean Chemours has made a commitment to reduce emissions. This groundbreaking is visible proof that they're going to live in to that world and spend hundreds of millions of dollars on building a facility that'll reduce emissions by 99 percent."

The plant manager said the facility is part of their $100 million plan of improving air quality.

The plant is expected to be completed December 31, 2019.