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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEQ-CFW_00082685From: K8ackey, Chris [/O=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=AEF8F68OGB2]42C5B2D2AE08D2B4510E'CK8ACKEY3] Sent: 8/2I/I0I72:57:22PW1 To: Kritzer, Jamie [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=ExzhanXeAdministrative Group (FYD|8OHFZ33PDO)/cn=Redpient$cn=cee93c49d01445a3b541bb3Z7dcdc84O-jbkritzer] CC: Cu|ton,Cobey[/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=ExchangeAdministrative Group (FYD|8OHFZ33PDO)/cn=Redpient$cn=ceaa9347eO6f49%Ib483ec9784e5Iebc-ccu|ton] Subject: FVV:Cape Fear GenX Attachments NCDHHSRisk Assessment FAQ Final Clean O7I4I7PW1.pdf Hey Jamie, Is this what you need, but in a Word format? From: Moore, Zack Sent: Friday, July 14, 20174:47 PM To: Kemp Burdette <kemp@cfnw.uu> Cc Benton, Mark <K4ark.Benton @dhhsoc.8ov>;Shehee, Mina <mina.shehee@dhhs.nc.gov>;[o|eman, Scott <Scott.Co|eman@dhhsoc.8ov>; Ku|inski, Ke||yxkeUy.ku|inski@dhhs.ncBov>; Mackey, Chris <[hhu. Maokey@dhhu.nc.8ov> Subject: Re: [ape Fear GenX Hi Mr. Burdette, l`cn attaching information about the updated risk assessment. This was just sent out along with the release bc]ovv detailing recent Gco7{sampling results. lthink this document answers the questions from your original cmail. I'm sorry for the delay; this is a complicated process as I know you're aware. Our goal has been to have this information ready when vvereceived the results from I)B(), which happened this morning. Zack Moore, MD, MPH State Epidemiologist and Epidemiology Section Chief Division of Public Health North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services 919546'1725 office ��� tilv`,s ad� ess iS &,.,,,kb 'a Re- avv� dioay s. Begin forwarded message: From: "Culton, Cobey" <Cobey.Cultonr&,dhhs.nc.&Qv> _- Subject: FW: Joint Press Release: State Releases First Water Quality Data, Updated Health Information for GenX in Cape Fear River Date: July 14, 2017 at 4:3 6:5 9 PM EDT To: "Moore, Zack" <zack.moore L-Whhs.nc.gov> From: News edhhs.nc.gov Sent: Friday, July 14, 2017 4:36 PIVI Subject: Joint Press Release: State Releases First Water Quality Data, Updated Health Information for GenX in Cape Fear River 14ealth. and hfurncafl:s, erv� ces North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality ^tate Releases First Water Quality Data, Updated Healt z W Information for GenXin Cape Fear River DEQ-CFW-00082686 ALEIGH — State officials today released their first results of water quality samples and are 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 to as parts per trillion). Samples were analyzed at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lab in Research Triangle Park and at 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 ming rear the Chemours facility. "Our goal, is to protect the safety and health of all forth 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 Environmental Quality to understand and communicate information in a timely manner, to help those impacted." 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 timely fashion." The findings reflect water quality data from samples collected 1.2 in the Fayetteville and Wilmington areas between June 19 -July 6. Results shove 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.. Eased on continuinq analvaia of health data and consultation with the DEQ-CFW 00082687 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. 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 of state for incineration. DEQ inspected the Chemours 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 Gen X 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. 11 -mime mmmmm International Paper Finished NW Brunswick Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Finished Pender Co. 421 WTP Finished -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CFPUA SweeneyFinished DEQ-CFW-00082688 Early results from all 13 test sites can be found on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's GenX website: . . .. .. .. . . ......................................................................................................... .......................... ........................ ................................................................. I., ................................ ...................................................................... A document showing the results in a spreadsheet is at: .................. %.% ..................................................... . ................................... I ................................................................. I ........................................... 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. FI.E.-Ei DEQ-CFW-00082689 Mark Thank you for the quick reply. Mina and Zack good to meet you both. llook forward b/ working with you on this. Best regards, On Thu, Jul 62Ol7ut4:O|PM, Benton Mork wrote: AM Thanks for reaching out and for asking these follow-up questions. Itwas apleasure meeting you as well and toshare time onthe panel together. I'm copying two of my fellow teammates in our Division of Public Health (DPH) that were very involved inthe developing our health advisory, including the levels. They are Mina Shehee and Zack Moore and one of them will follow-up directly with you. Thanks, again, for your email ... and, more importantly, for your work to protect the Lower Cape Fear River. Deputy Secretary for Health Services NC Department of Health & Human Services 2001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 919-715-4645 fax Email correspondence mandfrom this address is subject mthe North Carolina Public Records Low and may be disclosed to third parties. Unauthorized disclosure ofjmrn8e,health, legally privileged, u/otherwise confidential information, including confidential information relating monongoing State procurement effort, isprohibited bylow. Jyou have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete a// records of this e-mail. From: Kemp 8urdette[maiko Sent: Thursday, July 6,2U171:38PK4 To: Benton, Mark Subject: Cape Fear GenX Dear Mr. Benton, It was a pleasure to meet you at the GenX forum in Wilmington and to sit on the panel with you to discuss this emerging and extremely important issue. As you can imagine the approximately 300,000 people of the Lower Cape Fear Region who drink water from the Cape Fear River below the DuPont/Chemours discharge are extremely alarmed about the very real threat to our drinking water supply. Aathe Cape Fear Riverkeepe[|represent over athousand members who value clean water and believe that hbauniversal right. |nresponse tothe GenXissue, literally tens nfthousands uflocal residents have joined numerous Feuebnok groups, |istsen/as, neighborhood grnupa, mother's groups, etc. We have had three community forums, each well attended by concerned citizens, community leaders, elected o#ioia|a, and the media (including numerous national outlets). There is one striking aspect to every interaction | have observed surrounding this issue; people have questions which they dn not feel are being adequately answered. As a representative of thousands of people in our community, I am writing today to request that you share the methods you used to make the determination that the levels of GenX in the Cape Fear River drinking water are "low risk" There isagrowing consensus among scientists, community leaders and OEQ-CFVV_00082691 environmental activists that 70,909 ppt of GenX in drinking water does in fact pose significant risk to human health. In particular, we request you address the following questions in detail. We look forward to your timely response. Please confirm that you have received this email. Thank you. The EPA issued a health advisory of 70 parts per trillion for C8, a precursor to GenX in the manufacturing of Teflon. The Swedish government published asafe level for I I perfiuorinated compounds of 90 parts per trillion. You have stated that the safe level for GenX indrinking water is70,909parts per trillion. 1) Can you provide a detailed description (show the math) for how you established 70,909 ppt as the safe level? 2) What peer -reviewed scientific research did you use to reach that number? What is the title of the paper(s) and who are the authors? Who funded the research? 3) Did you attempt to find additional research on safe levels of perfluorinated compounds in drinking water? Did you find any? If so please list other sources considered. 4) Did you find research that indicated safe levels that were lower than 70,909 parts per trillion? 6) Is your safe level for acute exposure or long-term exposure? Are there different numbers for these? 7) Is your number the same for sensitive populations such as pregnant or nursing mothers, children, nrpeople who may boill? 8) Did you consider the combined effects nfthe seven podlunhnetodcompounds found inthe Kneppe A) Are you developing safe levels for the other porMunhnatodcompounds detailed inthe Knappe study? For 1-4 dioxane? 10) Have you read EPA's statements regarding their concern over the dangers of GenX? KenlpBurdctte Cape Fear Riverkeeper Wilmington, NC 28401 o-9lO'7A2-50Oh o-9|0-2b4-003h _ KemnBurclettc Cape FnarBJvcrkneprr 6178urry Street Wilmington, NC2840| o-9|O-762-5606 c-9lO-2b4-8O3b