HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEQ-CFW_00053944MW
|sthe water safe todrink right now?
You can drink your water. Most recent testing results are showing levels of GenX trending doxvnvvanj to
near orbelow our health goal.
Would you drink the water? If not, why?
Personally, I would drink the water. This is an individual decision and our goal is to provide information
so you can make an informed decision for yourself and your family.
Was the water safe todrink onMay Iofthis year? Jan I? What about in2O16?
We can't speak to those dates, as we don't have test results from that period. We do have test results
now, and those show levels GenX trending downward, and at or near our health goal.
Is it safe for me towater rnyvegetable garden?
We have no information to suggest that you should not use the water for your vegetable garden.
Is it safe for me to give my pet water? What are the long-term impacts for them of drinking the
water?
VVeare not advising pet owners torefrain from giving water totheir pets.
|sitsafe for nmeto mix mybaby'sformula with the local water?
We would expect a low risk of health effects from consuming water tested to be below the
concentration of14On8/Lthe safety level for bottle-fed infants.
Is there ablood test orbody scan todetermine if|have GenXinrnVbody? Will Chernounsor the state
pay for it?
We are not aware of any lab that is currently conducting blood tests or other types of tests for GenX.
Even if such tests were available, the significance of the results for a person's health are not known.
|sthere Gen Xinthe soil? Air? Other? How isthat regulated and what isthe total impact mnaperson?
DEQ has asked Chemours to test the groundwater wells at the facility to determine whether GenX is
present in the groundwater. The agency is evaluating what additional monitoring should be done to
evaluate GenX in the soil and the air, and whether testing methods are available to conduct such
monitoring.
Reports have identified other chemicals inthe water. Staff inDBland DHHSare working with both the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control ([D[) to learn everything
xvecan about these chemicals. |tislikely that little will beknown, but xvewill let you know any
developments inthis area ASAP. DE{lasked the EPA lab todothe similar analysis for the water samples
provided to them over the 6 week study. EPA has prioritized the reporting of GenX, and expects to
deliver the full analysis toDEC\inAugust.
Information onhealth effects comes from animal and other studies that look athealth outcomes in
groups that have had different levels of exposure to a chemical. There have been no epiderniologic
studies ofhealth impact ofGenXinhumans. Such studies are usually sponsored/overseen bythe
federal government and conducted byacademic researchers.
DmesGenX cause cancer?
VVedonot have any data about GenXcausing cancer inhumans. Cancers ofthe pancreas, liver, and
testes were seen in animal studies. VVeexamined the cancer rates as reported inthe state'sCentral
Cancer Registry, to determine if there are existing patterns of increased cancer rates in counties that
receive drinking water from the lower Cape Fear River. Results do not point to any consistent trends in
counties that get their water from the lower Cape Fear. Overall the results are what vvewould expect to
see looking at multiple types of cancer in multiple counties, with some rates below and above the state
rate.
yrn a livestock farmer, is itsafe togive the water to my [chickens, turkeys hogs]? Is there any risk
GenXwill get into the food supply?
We are not advising that farmers not give water to their chickens, turkeys or hogs. VVedonot have any
data tosuggest that GenXwill get into the food supply. And the EPA has said they don't anticipate that
6enXxvi|| build up or accumulate in fish residing in the [ape Fear River.
Should I purchase a water filtration system for my house so as to remove the GenX from my water?
VVeare not recommending that you purchase awater filtration system. That's because xvehaven't seen
any data that suggests a particular filter orsystem is capable of removing GenXfrum the water.
or disagree with them?
We are not aware of a water softener or filtration system that is capable of removing GenX from your
home's water.
|sitsafe tmbathe inthe water mrtowash nmVclothes init? Can GenXseep into myskin?
People are most likely to be exposed to GenX through ingestion and not through bathing in the water or
washing clothes.
Agency Activities
What have DEQand DHHSdone about DEQtmdate?
First of all, based on the ongoing investigation along with pressure from residents and local officials,
Chemours, the chemicals' manufacturer has stopped discharging GenX into the Cape Fear. Aaaresult,
initial water tests being conducted by DEQ show that levels of GenX in the water supply are down
dramatically.
At the Governor's direction, the state government has taken the following steps:
* DE[lbegan on June 19 collecting water samples from the Cape Fear River to determine current
levels ofGenX in the water. State officials continue to collect water samples.
* DHHS provided a preliminary health assessment to DE[land conducted a cancer assessment in
late June. (This assessment showed rates in Bladen, Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender
Counties are generally similar tothe statewide rates ofpancreatic, liver, uterine, testicular and
kidney cancers.)
w DHHS released a revised health goal of 140 parts per trillion for GenX on July 14.
* Using data from the water samples, state public health experts with DHHS have been working
with the EPA and the CDC to review all available health data and develop guidance on potential
health risks associated with 6enX. The data and health assessments have been publicized on
the state's web page devoted to GenX.
* The governor sent a letter tothe federal EPA requesting addhiona| federal actions.
• DEQ and DHHS announced the charter for a newly reconstituted Science Advisory Board.
Why did it take an outside scientist to alert you to this? Don't your scientists monitor the water
routinely? What dothey oo to approve permits?
Dr. Knappe was working with the EPA on the study as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to address
unregulated contaminants.
DHHS and DEQ have a long history of working collaboratively. We are daily working side -by -side,
sharing information and ideas. We are jointly committed to protecting the public's health and
safety. That's a 24/7/365 commitment.
Permitting and Regulations
Dothe permits for Chenmmursallow for discharge ofGen X? Who regulates this? |sthere astandard
that can helegally enforced bVDEQmrEPA?
GenX is an unregulated pollutant. There is no national or state standard for GenX. As such, the permit
does not cover GenXorother unregulated pollutants atthis time.
If DHHS isn't responsible for conducting research/tests mnthese other chemicals, who isresponsible
and has DHHSmade arequest tothem?
We have asked the EPA and CDC to share any/all research already in -hand and to support new,
additional research. The responsibility of DHHS is to provide health risk information based on results of
tests performed byDE{lorother groups.
It sounds like you are passing the buck to EPA, what is the state's role in regulating Gen Xand other
chemicals?
North Carolina officials need EPA to provide its guidance in order for North Carolina to be able to set
surface and ground water standards for GenX, which is why Governor Cooper is pressing the EPA for
swift action. Once the EPA takes action on GenX, North Carolina can develop an enforceable standard
for it instead of having to rely on Chemours agreeing not to discharge. As part of the state's ongoing
investigation, DEC\is looking closely at [hemoun' discharge permit and will not renew it while questions
remain about the company's actions.
Why hasn't EPA acted already toaddress this? What isthe process to get them toact? How long will
it take?
EPA has been working onthe health assessment for several weeks now, and has been providing
assistance to DHHS as the health goal was revised. Governor Cooper asked EPA in a July 171^ letter to
quickly complete the health assessment so that NC can begin development of surface water and ground
water standards. These standards would allow DEQ to establish permit limits for GenX.
al
Additional action from the EPA is necessary in order for North Carolina to be able to permanently
require Chemours to limit or end the discharge of GenX or any currently unregulated chemical. On June
17, the governor sent a letter to EPA Administrator E. Scott Pruitt requesting that the EPA move more
quickly to finalize its health assessment and set a maximum contaminant level for the unregulated GenX.
Gov. Cooper is also pushing the EPA to revisit its existing consent order with Chemours to apply to all
releases of GenX.
In addition, the governor asked in the letter for the EPA to use its authority under a federal law that
regulated the introduction of new chemicals, the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act, to examine
wastewater emissions more carefully and require multiple health studies for new chemicals.
How frequently was the water tested and over what period of time? Who would those results be
reported to? Was it the company that did the testing or an independent entity?
As part of the state's response to the GenX issue, weekly water quality samples have been taken at 12
locations in Fayetteville and Wilmington. The sampling locations have now been extended to 15
locations. DEQ staff took the samples and sent them to two labs — TestAmerica in Colorado, and the
EPA lab in RTP. As the water samples are analyzed and then quality assured, data is being made
available to the public.
Who is responsible to test the water for Gen X going forward? And who is responsible to test for other
chemicals?
DEQ has the current lead in testing the water for GenX. Several local public utilities are also testing the
water. A long-term monitoring strategy will be developed in August after the complete results of the 6
weeks of sampling have been evaluated.
Why are the GenX test results higher in some areas than others, particularly sites near the Chemours
plant?
The data set is limited, and it is difficult to draw conclusions on the trends at this point. The
concentrations we are evaluating are very small, in the parts per trillion range.
If Chemours has stopped discharging GenX in to the river, why is GenX still being detected?
Chemours stopped the discharge from the vinyl ether production unit on June 215t. However, they
discovered other discharge points around July 71h. Those discharges were stopped on July 101h. We do
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DEQ-CFW 00053948
not have data yet from the sampling after all the discharges were eliminated. VVeexpect the
concentrations to continue to decline as the data from the sampling after July 101h are evaluated.
in IT V1r1Vr--%Tz=
We are discussing very small concentrations, measured in parts per trillion, so some variability in
laboratory results isexpected. Several other factors, including rainfall and changes inriver flow can
cause variability intesting results.
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Why was there no health goal for Gen X prior to this month?
It is an unregulated chemical compound. We established a health goal in June.
Why did the health goal get reduced smquickly after itwas first announced? What data are you using
to make these determinations?
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared a preliminary assessment and
health goal for GenX to provide some context. In the absence of a level from EPA, this preliminary
assessment was based uninformation from the European Chemical Agency. Since then DHHShas
continued to review all available health information about GenX, and revised the goal once our scientists
reviewed this information. This is exoected — our commitment is to review anv new information on an
Why did your health risk assessment rely onanimal tests, wouldn't we want to know how it impacts
humans?
GenXisanemerging chemical compound, sothere isnot much known about it. That also means that
there has not been a lot of testing done on GenX, and toxicological testing begins first with animals and
is later followed byepidemio|o8icstudies to look for health outcomes in humans. GenXtestin8 is in its
early stages and what has been done islimited toanimals.
Your health goal istied tothe level of risk for an infant. Not everyone is aninfant, mowhy not
set/share goals for different subgroups ofthe population?
When the federal or state government sets a health goal, they generally identify a number that is most
conservative. That way it is the most health protective for anyone regardless of their age, if they are
pregnant orbreastfeeding.
Why do DEQ and DHHS need more funding/Can't both agencies address this issue with current
resources?
DEQ and DHHS have made the GenX investigation a top priority. All available time and resources are
being used to ensure the health and safety of the residents in the lower Cape Fear region. Additional
funding would support ongoing monitoring and assessment of threats to public health and safety from
discharges ofGenXand other perf|uorinatedcompounds.
If pressed: DEQ experienced significant reductions in the most recent budget, and it willbe difficult to
meet the needs of North Carolina residents without additional funding to make up for this newly opened
gap -
What would DEQ and DHHS dmwith additional funding?
DEQ would hire inspectors, engineers, environmental specialists and chemists; conduct long term GenX
sampling; and a reverse this year's budget provisions that required more than $1 million in budget cuts.
DHHS would establish a Water Health Safety Unit in the Division of Public Health that would include two
senior scientists, adata analyst and ahealth educator.
38,000 square miles.
MIT man,;rTjT6fff'AMff-ami-rJYEYTTMYrnaie Men cl.
In recent years, DEQ has seen about 70 positions eliminated.