DEQ-CFW_00079426

6/29/2017 10:36:34 AM
What is GenX?
GenX is a trade name for a chemical used in the manufacturing of nonstick coatings and for other
purposes. It is part of the fluorinated family of compounds that includes the chemicals PFOS and PFOA.
Chemours' 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 it might have been present in the environment for many years before being produced
commercially as GenX.
What is the state of North Carolina doing to address GenX in the Cape Fear River?
DEQ is working with the state Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the presence of
GenX in the Cape Fear River and develop the best available information on potential health risks
associated with the chemical.
On June 19, DEQ began collecting water samples from the Cape Fear River to determine current levels of
GenX in the water. Those samples will be analyzed by labs in Colorado and North Carolina, and the
results used to provide information on drinking water safety. DHHS is reviewing all available health data
and working with the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control to get their guidance about health risks of
GenX.
As part of its probe, DEQ strongly encouraged Chemours, the company that produces the chemical at its
facility in Fayetteville, to identiA7 any measures the company could take to reduce or eliminate discharge
of the chemical to the river.
Chemours responded to requests from state and local officials and residents by announcing that the
company would capture, remove and safely dispose of wastewater that contains the byproduct GenX
generated at its manufacturing facility in Fayetteville. [Add information about site visit to verify]
DEQ is also requesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide regulatory guidance on
GenX and work with the state during its investigation of GenX in the Cape Fear River. In response, the
EPA has informed DEQ it will work closely with the state and public water systems to determine the
appropriate next steps to ensure public health protection. The federal agency has also launched its own
investigation regarding Chemours' compliance with a 2009 order issued under the Toxic Substances
Control Act for the production of GenX.
Where are water quality samples being collected?
DEQ staff is collecting samples at 12 locations near Fayetteville, where the plant is located, and
Wilmington . Sampling began the week of June 19 and will continue in the same locations for the three
weeks.. On June 19, DEQ staff in the Fayetteville regional office started collecting water samples at the
Chemours plant that produces GenX during industrial processes, the Bladen Bluff intake and their
finished water, and a water supply well in Bladen County.
On June 22, DEQ staff in the Wilmington 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
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
DEQ-CFW-00079426

Recovery well, and the Wrightsville Beach water supply well. [Add details on anticipating upcoming
sampling.]
Why are officials waiting three days between sampling in Fayetteville and Wilmington?
We estimate that it takes about three days for water to flow the 70 miles down the Cape Fear River from
the Chemoui-s plant M Fayetteville to the river intakes near Wilminf,gt on. Sampling similar water parcels in
the two areas will provide a more consistent and representative analysis.
Where will the samples be analyzed?
Water samples are being 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.
According to DHHS analysis, current information suggests that adverse health effects are unlikely to
occur at the levels of GenX detected in the Cape Fear River during 2013-2014. Data from 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 it can be used to conduct further analysis of drinking water safety.
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. ']'his determination is based on the data that are
currently available and is subject to change as new inforniation becomes available. DHHS continues to
review all available data to understand and better communicate health risks associated with GenX.
DEQ-CFW-00079427

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.
How did DHHS come up with the temporary guidance on exposure?
Using information from a previous Dutch study, DHHS ran models based on its established protocol. The
health risk evaluations address water consumption issues only.
Do you recommend that we drink 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.
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 information 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 federal government made health recommendations for 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.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.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.
Will you regulate GenX in Chemours' next wastewater permit?
The pen -nit currently is up for renewal. DEQ will take a close look at all topics relevant to regulation and
will not renew the permit while the investigation is underway.
How are drinking water standards developed?
DEQ-CFW-00079428

North Carolina has adopted federal standards for drinking water. EPA has conducted three rounds of
testingfor its UnregulatedContaminant Monitoring Rule, which looks oichemicals in drinking water
across the nation. Data from water monitoring are helpful in developing new rules as the 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 b»an "emerging contaminant" orcnm�000d?
Under the Unregulated Contaminant Rule, the EPA gathers data about select unregulated
contaminants &xdetermine hovvoftcntkuvappoorin drinking water and o1what levels. The EPA uses that
data along with relevant health effect studies to determine if regulation is necessary, and if so, at what
|oro\e. For information onthe Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Ru|e,please visit:
h�oo:/hwnxw.opu.n1uun�-ubout �ed-o ' -ndc.
How did we learn that GeoXimiuthe Cape Fear River?
Dr. Detlef Knappe, professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at N.0 State
University, is one of the lead authors of a study that identified the presence of GenX in the Cape Fear
River. The study was produced in conjunction with EPA and reflects the importance of emerging
technologies being used todetect unregulated contaminants. |tisnot unusual for unregulated
contaminants to come to light as technology gets better at detecting them.
What about other related chemicals that might be in the water?
The same publication bvDr. K0000cthat first identification ofGon}{insamples collected during
2013-2014 also included results for several other chemicals in the same fluorinatedfhmJvofoompoundm.
Low concentrations of the "legacy" chemicals (PFOA and PFOS) were found in the Cape Fear River.
Limited information 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 fhrGouX
and other related chemicals.
0m0EQtesting for these other chemicals?
DGOimalso testing for the other unregulatedchemicals that Dr. &oomooidentified inhis November 2U|6
report. Wohave met with Dr. todiscuss his research and are ho working with the B9A`alab iu
Research Triangle Park to replicate his team's analysisusing current water samples.
How long has the state known that Chemourmwas discharging GenX?
AChomourorepresentative met with 0ElOpermitting staff bn2009nodiscuss changes inprocesses u1its
facility. The god was to eliminate the use ofuPF[)A, acompound noted Lo cause certain cancers in
highly exposed populations and replace itwith ulower toxicity compound called }{FPODinuorAcid, u
compound used inthe GonXprnoeoo.
Can the state take action againstCbemmooroorckseth*
D8Ostrongly encmragcdChemours toidentify ways to reduce oreliminate discharge ofGenX into the

rber. Chemours responded torequests from DRO,local officials and citizens bvannouncing that itwould
capture, remove and safely dispose ofwastewater that contains the byproduct GenX generated at its
manufacturing facility in I)EUverified during unon-site inspection June 27that Chumouro
ioredirecting the wastewater from the (]on}<process into temporary stom�4otanks u1the facility, modcan
homoved off -site for disposal. [)BUwill continue topress Chunnouronot toreturn todischarge ofGon}{
into the Cape Fear River.
Without identification ofimminent health thneu1 [�EOcannot seek injunctive relief u000�pomy
operatingwithin the of its (]enXia unregulated aud-thorofbne,notuddroeeodinuuy
Chemours permit is currently up for renewal and will not be renewed while our investigation is undei-NNay.