DEQ-CFW_00080415

From: Smith, Triciu[/O=[XCHANGELA8S/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=95O79DFD2BE047A6B238CD49A8F97EZ9-SP5PW|TH]
Sent: 7/14/I0I78:I6:26PW1
To: Kritzer, Jamie [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=ExzhanXeAdministrative Group
(FYD|8OHFZ33PDO)/cn=Redpient$cn=cee93c49d01445a3b541bb3Z7dcdc84O-jbkritzer]
Subject: RE: making sure you received
Thank you. I received your earlier attachment, but not a Cision distribution.
Patricia Smith
Public Information Officer
Division ofMarine Fisheries
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
PO. Box 769
WoreWez,0 Cot,
Fromm:Krhzer,Jamie[[e-mail]
Sent Friday, July l4, 20174:24PK4
Subject: making sure you received
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State releases first water quality data, updated health information for GenXinCape Fear River
Treated drinking water concentrations trending down; latest levels below updated health risk threshold
RALEIGH — State officials today released their first results of water quality samples and an updated preliminary health
assessment for concentrations of the unregulated compound GenX in finished, or treated, drinking water.
The revised health goal for exposure to GenX in drinking water is 140 nanograms per liter (also referred toasparts per
OEQ-CFVV_00080415

Samples were analyzed atthe U.S.Environmental Protection Agency lab inResearch Triangle Park and atT��t���h�y a lab in Colorado under contract to Chemours.
Data from samples collected June 19 and July 6 show that the most recent results of finished, or treated, water in all but
one facility were below the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' health goal of 140 parts per trillion. The
data also reveal that concentrations of GenX are trending downward.
Although no information is available about recreational health risks, people should refrain from swimming near the
[hemoursfaci|ky.
"Our goal is to protect the safety and health of all North Carolinians," said Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C.
Department of Health and Human Services. "We are working closely with our partners at the Department of
Environmenta|Oua|itytounderstandandcommunicateinformationinadme|ymanner,tohe|pthoseimpacted."
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan said:
"Safe drinking water is a top priority for this administration, and DEQ takes seriously its responsibility to protect the
health and welfare of the public. We will continue to investigate this issue and make new information available to the
public in a dme|yfashion."
The findings reflect water quality data from samples collected ytl[}�t��in the Fayetteville and Wilmington areas
between June 19 -July 6. Results show higher concentrations near the point where Chemours' Fayetteville
manufacturing facility was discharging GenX into the Cape Fear River, and much lower concentrations at the public
water supply systems near the facility and 70 miles downstream in the Wilmington area.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services released an initial preliminary health risk assessment on June 8 for
GenX in the Cape Fear River. Based on continuing analysis of health data and consultation with the Environmental
Protection Agency, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services today updated its initial preliminary health
assessment for GenX, the unregulated chemical compound recently identified in the lower Cape Fear River.
This updated health goal of 140 parts per trillion is expected to be the most conservative and health protective for non -
cancer effects in bottle-fed infants, pregnant women, lactating women, children and adults. This health goal is lower
than the health goal in the initial preliminary health assessment. This changes reflect information from new data.
Detailed information regarding the initial and revised assessments are posted online at:
Lower second week values reflect reduced exposure to GenX when, at the urging of state, local officials and concerned
citizens, Chemours on June 21 began diverting wastewater containing the contaminant into storage tanks to be shipped
out ufstate for incineration. DE[linspected the Chemouo site again this week after the company indicated that data it
had collected was higher than what it would have expected to see after the June 21 wastewater diversion had started.
DEQ inspectors confirmed this week that Chemours stopped the additional discharges of GenX into the river and is
collecting them for removal and incineration.
The following data table reflects partial results of concentrations of GenX after the water had been treated by public
water systems.
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International Paper Finished
NW Brunswick Water Treatment
®.CFPUA
Plant (WTP) Finished
Sweeney Finished
Early results from all 13 test sites can be found on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's GenX website:
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document showing the results in a spreadsheet is at:
Additional water sample testing and analysis are underway with results to be shared once analysis is completed.
The state's preliminary health goal was developed in consultation with EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Ongoing discussions will apply guidance from leading federal researchers of emerging contaminants to help
state officials provide the public with the best information available on potential health risks posed by GenX.
Officials have been collecting water samples at multiple locations in the Fayetteville and Wilmington areas each week
since June 19 and will continue sampling until at least late July. DEQ officials have extended the state's sampling regimen
from three -to -six weeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of GenX concentrations in the lower Cape Fear
River.
For further information, please contact Chris Mackey, with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, at 919-
855-4840 or 919-441-3577, or Jamie Kritzer, with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality at 919-707-8602 or
919-218-5935.
Jamie Kritzer
Communications Director
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-8602
919-218-5935
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