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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEQ-CFW_00070773EPA Statement 6/20/17 EPA is committed to protecting public health and supporting states and public water systems as the appropriate steps to address the presence of GenX in drinking water are determined. EPA has initiated an investigation into Chemours's compliance with a 2009 order issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the production of GenX. This investigation will allow EPA to determine whether Chemours is in compliance with requirements of the order to control releases to the environment at the Fayetteville, N.C., facility. EPA is also reviewing the additional toxicity data submitted by the company, as required under the consent order, and updating the risk assessment using the additional toxicity data specific to GenX. At the request of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), EPA has agreed to perform independent laboratory analysis for GenX in some of the water samples being collected by NCDEQ at 13 locations in the Cape Fear River over the next three weeks. Background • Typically, EPA investigates potential TSCA noncompliance through a review of production and environmental controls records required by any rule or order and, as needed, an on -site inspection. EPA may also use information requests to inform our investigation. • When EPA issued the consent order, the risk assessment for GenX was informed by available toxicity data for GenX and analogous substances such as PFOA (also known as C8). The consent order required the company to conduct additional toxicity testing on GenX. • EPA has received the data from Chemours and is using it to update its risk assessment. • Chemours agreed to bear all costs for the water collection and testing. The samples are being sent to a private laboratory in Colorado, and the EPA Office of Research and Development laboratory in Research Triangle Park, NC for independent verification. NCDEQ believes the completed results will be back from the laboratory in Colorado within four weeks from when the samples are received. EPA is working to determine a timeline for its analysis. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA undertakes extensive evaluations of contaminants and uses the best available peer reviewed science to identify and regulate contaminants that present meaningful opportunities for health risk reduction. The agency is working closely with the states and public water systems to determine the appropriate next steps to ensure public health protection. DEQ-CFW 00070773