DEQ-CFW_00075414

R,,oy Cooper, Governor
Environmental
Quality
Michael S. Regan, Secretary
Contact: Jamie &ntzer;
"I nI n 17n'7 OKn7. 1
EMBARGOED: State urges company to stop additional chemical discharges into the Cape Fear River
DEQ again demands Chemours provide complete list of chemicals in company's waste stream
RALEIGH — As part of its ongoing investigation, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality this week urged
Chemours to stop discharging two additional chemical compounds into the Cape Fear River. The compounds were
identified in the company's waste stream by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency preliminary analysis shared with the
state this week.
At a meeting on Monday, EPA scientists told the state they have identified two compounds they are calling Nafion
byproducts 1 and 2 in Chemours' waste stream and that estimated concentrations of these compounds are not decreasing.
The new information prompted DEQ to write Chemours on Tuesday urging the company to stop the release of the two
compounds. DEQ also repeated its demand for Chemours to provide the state agency with a complete inventory, sampling
data and test results for all chemicals included in the company's waste stream.
"Our top priority is to protect the state's citizens," said Michael Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental
Quality. "Until we know more about the health effects of these byproducts, the company needs to stop discharging them.
We're also repeating our demand that Chemours give us information about all other chemicals in its waste stream."
The new information is the result of the EPA's analysis of water samples submitted by DEQ to the EPA's lab in Research
Triangle Park. Information about the presence of the Nafion byproducts comes from preliminary analysis of water samples
gathered by DEQ at Chemours' wastewater discharge outfall near Fayetteville and finished drinking water at the Sweeney
Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington. Scientists at the EPA lab are conducting further analysis of the water samples.
Preliminary results shared by the EPA this week also include three perfluorinated compounds that along with GenX were
previously identified in the Cape Fear River by a 2016 study by the EPA and N.C. State University. Estimated
concentrations of these three perfluorinated compounds dropped significantly, similar to GenX levels after the company
stopped discharging GenX. For that reason, state and federal officials believe the three perfluorinated compounds were part
of the same wastewater discharge that included GenX and was stopped.
The accuracy of the laboratory analysis for the five chemicals included in the EPA's preliminary results is more uncertain
than those available for GenX because calibration standards for these chemicals are not commercially available. EPA is
using new non -targeted screening methods to develop concentration estimates for these five chemicals. With non -targeted
screening, researchers are able to test for and identify chemicals present, rather than testing to see if a particular chemical is
present. This is different from the more commonly known targeted screening, which is when researchers identify what they
are looking for in the water and then test for those specific things.
State officials began investigating the presence of GenX in the river in June. That ongoing investigation along with
pressure from residents and local officials prompted Chemours to stop discharging GenX from its Fayetteville facility.
DEQ is now asking Chemours to stop discharge of the Nafion byproducts, which preliminary results indicate come from
the company's wastewater but are unchanged since the GenX discharge ended.
-more-
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1'a
Little is known about the health effects of any of the five compounds—Nafion byproducts 1 and 2 or the three other
perfluourinated compounds — included in this week's analysis from the EPA.
Public health experts with DHHS used available studies to establish a health goal for GenX. Since the GenX discharge
stopped, concentrations of GenX have dropped well below the state health goal of 140 parts per trillion. No similar health
studies have been identified for the Nafion byproducts or the other three perfluorinated compounds analyzed by the EPA,
so DHHS is unable to establish a health goal for them at this time.
DHHS reiterated its health guidance that the public can continue to drink the water, based on ongoing testing for GenX and
other compounds for which health information is available. This guidance has not changed following the preliminary
results shared by the EPA this week.
"I know how frustrating it is to all of us that we have very little scientific information about these unregulated, emerging
compounds," said Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. "We continue to work
with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other scientists to get more
information as quickly as possible."
As part of the ongoing investigation, DEQ requested that the EPA analyze water samples for GenX and other unregulated
chemical compounds included in the 2016 study conducted by the EPA and N.C. State University. Among those chemicals
are the perfluorinated compounds the EPA reported this week. The EPA also chose to analyze the water samples for the
Nafion byproducts based on a separate prior study by the federal agency. Specialists with the EPA's lab in Research
Triangle Park conducted the analysis using new technology and methodology and looked at water samples collected by
DEQ over a six -week period starting June 19.
DEQ will review all this information as part of its investigation and the agency's review of Chemours' application for a
new wastewater discharge permit.
The EPA informed state officials this week that it is working on a report that will include concentrations of other
compounds at multiple sampling locations over multiple weeks.
As with the results for GenX, DEQ will make public test results for all the compounds when final data is available.
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KEY POINTS — NON -TARGETED COMPOUNDS
1. Summary of EPA report
• You may remember that as we have been saying since our investigation began, we wanted
to better understand information about the other compounds identified in the 2016 study
from EPA and N.C. State University (known as the Knappe report for one of its lead authors
Detlef Knappe).
• At DEQ's request, the EPA agreed to conduct an analysis of other compounds identified in
the 2016 report.
• We met with EPA Monday to learn about their preliminary report on five other compounds
in the Cape Fear River.
• The preliminary report is on five compounds that had the highest peaks, implying possibly
higher concentrations. The samples EPA used are from the Chemours outfall and Sweeney
water plant treated water only. Their analysis covered weeks 1-6.
• We anticipate EPA releasing the report perhaps as early as today. As soon as EPA transmits
the report, we will post it on the GenX webpage. The complete report on all remaining
compounds in the Knappe report will take several weeks and maybe even several months.
2. How compounds in EPA's report compare to GenX
• EPA used a high -resolution mass spectrometer for its analysis in this report.
• EPA has established a lab test standard for GenX, which allows for high precision and
accuracy when measuring concentrations of GenX.
• The accuracy of the laboratory analysis for the five chemicals included in the EPA's
preliminary results is more uncertain than those available for GenX because calibration
standards for these chemicals are not commercially available. EPA is using new non -targeted
screening methods to develop concentration estimates for these five chemicals. With non -
targeted screening, researchers are able to test for and identify chemicals present, rather
than testing to see if a particular chemical is present. This is different from the more
commonly known targeted screening, which is when researchers identify what they are
looking for in the water and then test for those specific things.
3. Trends in EPA's report
• The three compounds also identified in Dr. Knappe's 2016 study showed a marked decline
similar to GenX. Based on that downward trend, it's likely those compounds are in the same
wastewater stream as GenX.
• The EPA also elected to analyze two other compounds that were not part of Knappe report.
The EPA referred to these compounds as Nafion byproducts. The EPA believes they are likely
associated with the Nafion manufacturing line at the Chemours plant.
• The EPA chose to analyze the water samples for the Nafion byproducts based on a separate
prior study by the federal agency.
• The EPA conducted the analysis using new technology and methodology and looked at
water samples collected by DEQ over a six -week period starting June 19.
• EPA scientists told the state that estimated concentrations for the two compounds they are
calling Nafion byproducts 1 and 2 waste stream did not decrease over the six -week period of
their analysis.
• DEQ has urged Chemours to stop discharging wastewater from the Nafion manufacturing
process.
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4. Available health information about the compounds in EPA's report
• Our staff and staff with EPA, CDC and the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences have reviewed all available sources for toxicology studies or other health
information about the five compounds in the EPA report.
• This includes a review of published literature, toxicology databases from EPA, CDC and NIH,
and the European Chemical Agency. These searches identified no data about possible health
effects of these compounds in drinking water.
• After speaking with the EPA, our understanding is that there are no health studies
conducted as part of a TSCA consent agreement for these five compounds, unlike GenX.
• Based on this review, we don't have enough scientific information about these compounds
to know if the levels reported by the EPA are a risk to human health or to establish a health
goal. GenX is the only one of these emerging perfluorinated compounds for which we have
enough information to make a health statement at this time.
• We know this lack of health information is frustrating. DHHS is working with the EPA, CDC
and other scientists to get more information about these compounds as quickly as possible.
5. Stance on drinking water
• The new results from EPA do not change our recommendations about water use. Levels of
GenX have been decreasing and are below the health goal established by DHHS. Based on
these results and results of routine testing for other contaminants, for which we do have
health information, our current recommendation is that people can continue to drink the
water.
• We do recognize that there are concerns about other compounds for which health effects
are unknown and we are working with the EPA, CDC and other scientists to understand the
possible health effects as quickly as possible.
• It's important to recognize that this is a rapidly evolving situation and our current
recommendations could change if new information becomes available.
• Federal agencies and academic partners understand the need to get health information
rapidly, and there are several ongoing activities that could provide new insights.
• Our goal is to provide the best information available in a timely manner so people can make
decisions for themselves and their families.
6. Actions taken (or going to be taken) by the state
• DHHS continues to work with EPA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other
federal agencies to get any health information from them as quickly as possible.
• After seeing EPA's presentation on Monday and noting the lack of a downward trend for the
Nafion byproducts, DEQ has urged Chemours to stop discharging wastewater from the
Nafion manufacturing process.
• DEQ also repeated its call for Chemours to provide the state agency with a complete
inventory, sampling data and test results for all chemicals included in the company's waste
stream.
• We must stress, however, that there is little health information available on any of the five
perfluorinated compounds the EPA analyzed. Unlike GenX, there is not even sufficient
enough health information to develop a health goal.
• So the actions the state took this week were taken out of an abundance of caution.
• Until we know more about the health effects of these byproducts, the company needs to
stop discharging them.
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• EPA recognizes limited health data is an issue — they are looking at a variety of a new
approaches that could possibly allow them to make health statements.
• We are going to be transparent and share information as we receive it.
• Many other states are dealing with PFAS challenges: Alabama, Alaska, New Hampshire, New
York and Michigan have contacted the EPA's Office of Research and Development for help.
• We will continue to take water quality samples — the extent will be determined at a later
date.
• We will continue weekly calls and will schedule more frequent calls as needed.
• As we indicated in yesterday's call, we are also awaiting groundwater testing results from
the monitoring wells at the Chemours facility.
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