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Home My WebLink AboutDEQ-CFW_00053828From: Whichard, Jordan [/O=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=74DD092206C444068D5E418DE007776A-DJWHICHARD] Sent: 8/17/2017 1:16:53 PM To: Tarr, Jeremy M [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=98859532088e4437968231eb6fef6b70-jmtarrl]; Holman, Sheila [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=94a3f69674d34b769b3bd834a97105c5-scholman] CC: Owen, Jenni [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=2282b573e68d40b38bf110bl530db523-jowen2] Subject: RE: Connecting NC & Netherlands Environmental officials Agree. Seems to me that it would be a worthwhile exercise. From: Tarr, Jeremy M Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 11:49 AM To: Whichard, Jordan <Jordan.Whichard@nc.gov>; Holman, Sheila <sheila.holman@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Owen, Jenni <Jenni.Owen@nc.gov> Subject: FW: Connecting NC & Netherlands Environmental officials I'd suggest we set up a call with Jan Wijmenga, Jan Peelen, Sheila, Mark, and me to compare notes on the facilities, pollutants discharged (GenX and others), and government responses. From the emails below, it sounds like a conversation would be fruitful for them and us. Thoughts? Jeremy Tarr Policy Advisor Office of Governor Roy Cooper 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 919-814-2043 I - l:r_3rr 1. 5z k4�. From: Wijmenga, J. (Jan) - DGMI p... t €.3.;r € -€ € r r................. nl Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 11:13 AM To: Whichard, Jordan <Jord�in.Wll.icliard...l�c..�x .>; Holman, Sheila <s 3i a I ra >; Tarr, Jeremy M Cc: Jong, Bart de <ba€t-deJon--,@minbuza.nl>; Peelen, Jan <JR.r-leelen$ €ninbu a,r l> Subject: RE: Connecting NC & Netherlands Environmental officials Clear colleagues, .I.hanks for the opportunity to discuss this case with the NC government! As Jan Peelen explained I am the coordinating officer within the ministry of Environment for all research that we have initiated (on the national level) around the Chernours plant: in Dordrecht:, NL. There also provincial ('state') and municipal investigations running, and an inquiry by the public prosecutor's office. DEQ-CFW 00053828 We have been working this case for about two years now, and after an initial foS:US on PFOA only, we have now several investigations running, some are concluded already but some are still pending (arid one is about to start), both on PFOA and GenX. I have not sears reports on PFOA emissions from the Chemours plant: in NC, so there might: not be a link there, but: just: to be complete: PFOA was Used at the plant in Dordrecht, but emissions were terminated in 2012 and now only a very low emission to water is still permitted from a soil decontamination facility on the site. Nevertheless, we still get many questions on health effects of the historical emissions, and a measurement campaign found several citizens living close by the factory that even at this moment have blood concentrations of PFOA that may lead to health effects (see the T,p.2�:t for more details). With the phase --out of PFOA, Chernours has introduced the GenX technology as a replacement, with a provincial permit for emissions to water and air. We have been investigating (effects of) PFOA for about: two years, and GenX for about a year now. Published work includes an overview of available info, drinking water sampling and the derivation of a threshold for GenX in drinking water (150 ng/1), but we were so far unable to conclude on some aspects of the substances used, e.g. we have riot: been able to derive a water quality standard to protect: the water ecosystem. I would be interested to see whether there is any information available within the NC: administration on this aspect of the GenX emission to water (e.g. a bioaCc.umulation study in fish). A more recent development is that a study from the Free University of Amsterdam found GenX and PFOA in leaves and grass around the factory, up to levels that — according to the researcher — would warrant a warning for eating vegetable's grown in the vicinity. We are currently following -LAP on this, as only non -edible plants were tested so far. If there is any information available on similar studies carried out in NC it would be greatly appreciated if this could be shared. For us it would also be useful to know some operational details about: the plant: in NIA', as C;hernours has committed to cease its emission to water in the gape Fear river. We have had (and still have) extensive discussions with the management: of the Dordrecht works, but: a similar commitment: has so far not been obtained. C;hemours claims that: the Fayetteville and Dordrecht works are not comparable and the commitment male in the US could therefore not be made in del L. We certainly expect that: discussions will continue on the emissions of GenX, as recent measurements have shown GenX in trace quantities in drinking water at large distances from the plant and expect questions from the public and from parliament on the differences between the Fayetteville and Dordrecht works (and on the (im)possibility to reduce emissions). I would of course be able to share any data that we have on GenX, or facilitate contacts with the colleagues from our water management: unit: or the National Institute for Public Health and Environment: (RIVM), which has participated in most of the research work carried out so far. Thanks again for the possibility to discuss these and I am looking forward to a further exchange of information Sincerely, Jan Wijmenga oa.........00aa..........00aa..........00aa.........000aa.........000aa. Directorate for Environmental Safety and Risks Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment Rijnstraat 8 1 The Hague P.O. Sox 20001 1 NL-2500 EX I The Plague The Netherlands T +31 70 456 0867 E jan.wijdnen;a€dninienrr€.nl W www, overnrnent,rl rnin€st:r€eshenrn DEQ-CFW 00053829 Van: Pee|en,Jan Verzmmden:dinsdaglSau0uutus2O1729:49 Aan: 'Whichard,]ordan' ;'Ho|man,Sheila' ;7arr,Jeremy M' CC: VVijmen0a,].(Jan) DGM| Jong, Bart de Onderwverp:RE: Connecting N[&Netherlands Environmental officials Dear Jordan, Sheila enJeremy, Jordan, thanks for your efforts to connect us! Sheila & Jeremy, great to meet you through this medium! As Jordan mentioned, I am based in DC as the attach6 for the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment (comparable to US DOT, EPA /&HUD).This year, mycolleagues in The Netherlands asked me to keep an eye out for cases involving PFOA and GenX in the US, since there are growing concerns about traces of those substances in the drinking water in a particular region the Netherlands. We learned DEQ launched an investigation on GenX in the lower Cape Fear River. The source of GenX in NC is the same as the Netherlands: achemical company called [hemours. Our lead onthis topic iu Jan Wijmenga (in cc). He is a senior advisor at the directorate for Environmental Quality & Risks. He asked me to introduce him to NC officials, so they could compare notes and perhaps share experiences and data. I hope this is the start of a fruitful exchange. ME Jan PeeUen AttaCh6 for Infrastructure and the Environment Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Office for Infrastructure and the Environment 4200 Linnean Avenue NW Washington D.C, 20008, USA T +12032742730 M +13836886256 E From: VVhichao[Jordan Sent: dinsda815au8ustus2U17O9:3O To: Pee|en,Jan ; Holman, Sheila Tar�Jeremy K8 Subject: Connecting NIC & Netherlands Environmental officials IM Thanks for reaching out last week regarding GenX and Chemours, an issue that our state and your country are both in the midst ofdealing with. I'm connecting you by this email with Sheila Hollman, Assistant Secretary for the Environment at NCIDEQ, and Jeremy Tarr, one of the Governor's Policy Advisors in our office. They are happy to work with your environmental officials to have a conversation about these and other emerging compounds, and Sheila can coordinate with members specifically involved in Water Resources at DEQ. Jeremy and Sheila, Jan is an attach6 for infrastructure and the environment at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Washington, DC. Let me know if I can be helpful as these conversations begin. Thanks to you all for your continued engagement. D. Jordan Whichard IV W--OM-4A-g Office of Governor Roy Cooper 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-0301 919-814-2036 direct 919-818-6085 mobile J-jLdIL ..yybjchard nc...q.�y C..." � J o DEQ-CFW-00053831