DEQ-CFW_00070773

EPA 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