DEQ-CFW_00079419

What is GeoX?
(]on]{ioutrade name for uchemical used inthe manufacturing ofnonstick coatings omdfbroder
purposes. It is part of the fluorinated family of compounds that includes the chemicals PFOS and PFOA.
facility in Fayetteville began producing GenX commercially as a replacement for other
PFOAs in 2009. The same chemical is also produced as a byproduct during other manufacturing
processes and dmight have been present inthe environment for many years before being produced
commercially ua{enX.
What is the state nfNorth Carolina doing toaddress GenX in the Cape Fear River?
DG0io working with the state Department ofHealth and Human Services Vzinvestigate the presence of
GenX in the Cape Fear River.
The immediate goals ofthe investigation are todetermine the levels ofGoninduknworConoFcoxregion
and develop the best available information on potential health risks associated with the chemical.
On June |9`DRObegan collecting no1or samples from the Cape Fear River nodetermine current levels of
(}ouXinthe water. Those samples will he analyzed hvlabs iuColorado and North Carolina, and the
ruouho used toprovide information on drinking water safety. DUB}18 is reviewing all omuUob|o health data
and working with the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control toget their guidanceabout health risks of
Aopart ofits probe, DEQ the company that produces the chemical |o1its
facility in ruyouov/xo`noidentify any measures d� company take toreduce or dioonurQo of the chemical to the river.
Chemours responded Lorequests from state and local offiobdoand residents hvannouncing that the
company would capture, remove and safely dispose of wastewater that contains the byproduct GenX
generated atits manufacturing facility in Fayetteville.
This is a good step, but DEQ and DHHS are continuing to investigate.
DR0ioalso requesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency toprovide regulatory guidance on
(3on}<and work with the state Jnnincits investigation of(]enXinthe Cape Fear River. Luresponse, the
EPA has informed DR]itwill work closely with the state and public water systems todetermine the
appropriatenext steps to ensure public health protection. The federal agency has also launched its own
investigation regarding 0bunnouro`compliance with o20OYorder issued under the Toxic Substances
Control Act for the production of0onX.
Where will water quality sampling take place?
Df;3 staff will sample at 12 locationsstarting the week ofJune |P and will continue collectingsamples
for analysis in the same locations for the next three weeks. The locations are near Fayetteville, where the
plant iolocated, and Wilmington. On June l9,0E0staff intheFayetteville ro onaloffioosturted
collecting water samples olthe Chcn/ouroplant that produces GonXduring industrial processes, the
Bladen Bluff intake and their finished water, and a water supply well in Bladen County.
OnJune 22,DE0staff intheWilmington regional office will sample the Lower Cape Fear Water and
Sewer Authority's intake, the International Paper intake, the International Paper finished water, the Cape
OEQ-CFVV_00079419

Fear Public Utility Authority's finished water, the Pender County public utility's finished water, the
Brunswick County public utility's finished water, the Cape Fear Public Utility's Aquifer Storage and
Recovery well, and the Wrightsville Beach water supply well.
Why are officials waiting three days between sampling in Fayetteville and Wilmington?
We estimate that it takes about three days ('or water to flow the 70 miles down the Cape Fear River from
the Chemours plaint in Fayetteville to the river intakes near Wilmington. Sampling similar water parcels in
the two areas will provide a. more consistent and representative analysis.
Where will the samples be analyzed?
Water samples will be analyzed by two independent laboratories, a certified facility in Colorado, and a
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory in the Research Triangle Park near Raleigh. The
sample results will be released when available.
When do you expect to have the results?
DEQ estimates that results should be available within a month from when the samples are received at the
laboratories.
Why are you taking three rounds of water quality samples?
Taking multiple samples will give the most accurate data. This will help us to better understand how
much GenX is currently in the river and provide more current data to help evaluate potential health
impacts.
Who will pay for the sampling and testing?
After meeting with DEQ staff, Chemours agreed to pay for the water collection and testing at the
Colorado lab. EPA will cover the cost of the lab analyses to be completed at the RTP lab.
How can GenX affect my health?
Limited health information is available for GenX at this time.
Current data suggest that adverse health effects are unlikely to occur at the levels detected in the Cape
Fear River during 2013-2014. Data from water sampling undenvay now will tell us how much GenX may
be in the Cape Fear River currently. DEQ will provide this environmental data to DHHS so it can be used
to conduct further analysis of drinking water safety.
PFOA and PFOS (chemicals that are part of the same family of fluorinated compounds) were recently
reviewed by the EPA. Based on lab tests, the most common health effects of those two chemicals were
kidney and testicular cancer, impaired fetal development, and effects on the liver, thyroid and immune
system. It is expected that exposure to sufficient amounts of GenX or other related chemicals might cause
some or all of these health effects.
If you are concerned about your health, please speak with your medical provider or contact your local
health department.
Is my water safe to drink?
Researchers from N.C. State University detected an average level of GenX of 631 ng/L in the Cape Fear
River in 2013 and 2014. Based on limited scientific information currently available about the health
effects of GenX, DHHS has determined that adverse health effects would not be expected to occur in
people drinking water with these concentrations of GenX.
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Data from the water sampling underway now will tell us how much GenX may be in the Cape Fear River
currently. DEQ will provide this environmental data to DHHS so that it can be used to conduct further
analysis of the drinking water safety. DHHS is also working with the EPA and the Centers for Disease
Control to get their guidance about health risks of GenX. The EPA is updating its risk assessment on
GenX but we do not know when that assessment will be completed.
Do you recommend that we drink bottled water?
With the low health risk associated with the level of GenX in drinking water, it is not necessary to
consume bottled water. Bottled water comes from a variety of sources including public water supplies.
There is no regulatory requirement for bottled water to be routinely tested. For more information, see
answer to "Is my water safe to drink?" above.
Are there home water filtration systems that can remove GenX?
At this time, there is not enough information to support the use of any specific filtration method (e.g.
reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, etc.) to remove GenX from water. Research into filtration
methods is on -going and new information will be shared as it becomes available.
What about other related chemicals that might be in the water?
The same publication that first reported finding GenX in samples collected by N.C. State University
researchers during 2013-14 also included results for several other chemicals in the same fluorinated
family of compounds. Limited infonnation is available about the potential health effects of these newer
chemicals. DHHS is reviewing all available health data to better understand and communicate possible
health risks from GenX and other related chemicals.
Has the state or federal government made health recommendations for GenX?
U.S. EPA has published health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS, which are in the same family of
chemicals as GenX. However, these levels should not be used for evaluating the health risks of GenX due
to differences in chemical structure that can affect how the chemical interacts with the body.
Tlie average level of GenX detected in the Cape Fear River in 2013 and 2014 was 631 ng,/L. Based on a
preliminary analysis of available scientilic data, the state Department officalth and Human Services
detennined it is not expected that adverse health effects would occur in people drinking water with these
concentrations. This determination is based on the: data that are currently available and is subject to
chap<ae as new information becomes available. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
continues to review all available data to understand and beater communicate health risks associated with
GenX.
Is it safe to eat fish from the Cape Fear River?
There are no fish advisories in place related to GenX. A list of statewide and location -specific fish
advisories related to other contaminants is available at:
http://epi.publichealtli.nc.gov/oee/fish/advison*es.html.
Do I need to worry about my groundwater?
Currently, we are not aware of impacts to groundwater. As part of its investigation, DEQ is testing several
groundwater public water supply sources for the presence of GenX Those water supply wells are in
Wrightsville Beach, the Cape Fear Storage and Recovery Well and in Bladen County.
Is GenX regulated under the wastewater permit issued to Chemours?
Currently, there are no state or federal criteria for the regulation of the GenX compound in wastewater.
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What about other related chemicals that might 6e in the water?
The same publication that first identification of(]on}<insamples collected during 20|3-20l4
also included results for several other chemicals in the same fluoninated family of compounds. Low
concentrations of the "leszacy" chemicals (PFOA and PFOS) were found in the Cape Fear River. Limited
information is available about the potential health effects of these newer chemicals. [)}{}{S is rcrtov/ing
all available health data to better understand and communicate possible health ni sks for GenX and other
related chemicals.
Has the state or federal government made health recommendations for other chemicals related to
GenX?
D.S. EPA has published health advisory levels for PFOA/PO8,which are inthe same family of
chemicals ooGon}{.However, these levels should not hcused for ovo]u the health risks ofC}unXdue
to differences in chemical structure that can affect how the chemical interacts with the bodv.
How long has the state known that Chemmnurwwas discharging GeuX?
A Chemours representative met with DEQ- Pennitting staff in 2009 to discuss changes in processes at its
fboUTho goal was to eliminate the use of PPOA, aoompound noted to cause certain cancers in
highly exposed populations and replace it with a lower toxicity compound called HFPO Dimer Acid, a
compound used inthe GonXprocess.
When did the state learn that G*nXimiothe Cape Fear River?
Dr. Detlef Knappe, professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at NC State
University, is one of the lead authors of a study that identified the presence of GenX in the Cape Fear
River. }{oshared the study with I)E()staff inNovember J0l6.Thostudy was produced inconjunction
with EPA and reflects the importance ofemerging technologies being used todetect unregulated
contaminants. bLienot unusual for unrcgu|at doontonuinantotoconuoto|ioht as technology gets better a1
detecting them.
Is DEQ only looking into 'oet Gen Xor are there other chemicals you guys are testing for?
DEQ plans to test for GenX and other unregulated chemicals that Dr. Detlef Knappe identified in his
November 2016 report. We have met and discussed with Dr. Knappe his research and will be working
with the EPA`olab inResearch Triangle Park Loreplicate the analysis conducted hyDr. Kuoppe`mteam.
This will help us best determine the current concentration of GenX and any other unregulated chemicals.
How are drinking water standards
North Carolina has adopted federal standards for drinking water. EPA has conducted three rounds of
testing for its Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, which looks oichemicals indrinking water
across the nation. Data from water monitoring are helpful indeveloping new rules osthe number of
occurrences and health data indicate regulations are warranted. EPA uses several factors to develop rules,
includingefficiency, cost and health benefits ofremoving the waste from adrinking water system.
What iomm "emerging contaminant" or compound?
Under the Unregulated Contaminant Rule, the EPA gathers data about select unregulated
contaminants Lodetermine how often they appear io drinking water and u1what levels and the EPA uses
that data along with relevant health effect studies to dcV:nnino ifregulation ionecessary, and ifso, at what
levels. For information on the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, please visit:
hUoe:/hwnnw.epo.cam'about-unroDu|ated'oontan/inant*nonhndng-nulo.

How did 0HNUScome opwith the temporary guidancemmexposure?
Using information from a previousDutch study, D4HU8Sran models based onits established protocol. The
health risk evaluations address water consumption issues only.
Can the state take action againsttbeowmupuoyorokosethe
DB0strongly encouragodChemours to identify ways to reduce oreliminate discharge ofGenX into the
hvocChomour. responded to requests from DEQ, local officials and citizens by announcing that it would
capture, remove and safely dispose of wastewater that contains the byproduct GenX generated at its
manufacturing facility in Fayetteville. DEQ verified during an on -site inspection June 27 that Chemours
ioredirecting the wastewater from the GenX process into temporary storne tanks at the facility, oodcan
bemoved off -site for disposal.
Without identification ofimminent health d/oeu1 DUB0cannot seek injunctive relief ucon�pony
operatingwithin the of its GonXie unregulated and therefore, not addressed inany
permits held by the facility.
Will you regulate GenXboCbemoors°next wastewater