DEQ-CFW_00022461

From: Culpepper, Linda [/O=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANG[ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=73D475CBAE324A29B87E171IDC9A79C5-UNCULPEPPER]
Sent: 7/12/I0I77:I6:34PW1
To: Buckley, Timothy [8uck|[e-mail];AUenbach,Becky [A||[e-mail]]
CC: Snegson,]im [/b=ExchanXeLabs/ou=ExchangeAdministrabve Group
(FYD|BOHFI]3PD[n/cn=Kedpients/cn=38932beIQ9Of4Of a7O7]5cOId0aca53-jhgregson]
Subject: FVV:Sampling Results
Attachments: FinaQ8I2I8_manua|_II-JULI7.pdtFina|_tmp|t_537PPT6ENX_manua|_11-JUL-17.pdt8CPUDCOC.PDF;
COC_OA_282I18.pdf
Per our conversation.
LindaCw|piappe/
Deputy Director
Division of Water Resources
North Carolina DepahmentufEmhrnnmema|Quality
1611Mai|Service Center
phone�91g'787gV14
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From: John Nichols [maihojuhn.Nioho|s@brunsvvickcountync8ov
Sent: Tuesday, July 11,JO174:45PK4
To: Culpepper, Linda <|inda.cu|[e-mail]>
Cc: Glenn Walker <[e-mail]>; Ann Hardy <Ann. Hardy@ brunswickcountync.gov>; Moore,
Zack<[e-mail]>
Subject: Sampling Results
Linda,
This is to make you aware that we have received some sampling results from samples collected on June 29 (enclosed)
and a press release will be forthcoming. | have recommended some verbiage to our P|O (below). Please do not hesitate
to contact me regarding the results. We look forward to working with you as this issue moves forward. Thank you for all
ofyour efforts inour behalf.
J,"5fi-,&4 PE,[PE5[
Director
PO Box 249
Bolivia, NC 28422
Based on samples taken by Dr. Detlef Knappe and others in August 2014, but not published until November 2016, levels
OEQ-CFVV_00022461

and indrinking water produced bythe Cape Fear Public Utility Authority. Average levels ofGENXfound in the Cape Fear
River onAugust 14,2U14were 631nanogramsper Liter (631parts per tri||ion). The median value was 3O4nanograms
per Liter. Additional testing of Cape Fear Public Utilities water within the treatment process indicated that there was
not significant removal ofGENX during the treatment process. Dr. Knappe'steam did not test the Brunswick County
treated water supply atthat time sothere was no confirmation ofGENXwithin Brunswick [ount/streated
water. Although the treatment process at Brunswick County's Northwest Water Treatment Plant varies significantly
from Cape Fear Public Utilities Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, it is generally thought that traditional water treatment
methods will have only limited success inremoving GENX.
The Division ofEnvironmental Quality, incooperation with various regional utilities, began testing raw water and
finished water at multiple locations beginning the week of June 19, 2017 to determine the levels of GENX and other
similar Perfluoroalkyl Ether Carboxylic Acids (PFECAs) and Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). Additional information on
this testing can be found at . Samples were
taken at Brunswick County's Northwest Water Treatment Plant of both the raw water and the finished water on June 22,
June J9m,and July 61hbyDE{lstaff. Additionally, in order to serve as additional sampling validation, Brunswick County
staff took separate samples on June 291h and July 6 1h along with DEQ staff. The samples taken by Brunswick County staff
were sent toadifferent laboratory than that used byDE[lstaff.
Brunswick County has received the laboratory sample results from samples taken on June 291h The levels ofGENX
found in the raw water were 36.8 Parts Per Trillion. The levels found in the finished water were 32.8 Parts Per Trillion. It
is normal to see some variation in samples since they are two different volumes of water and due to the extreme level of
analysis performed (parts per tri||ion). Tuprovide asense ofhow much ananogramper Liter (Part Per Trillion)
represents, some references indicate that a part per trillion is equivalent to one drop of water (0.05 ml-) diluted into
20 olympic sized swimming pools (2500 m'), or about three seconds out of every one hundred thousand years.
According to a release by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, "There are no U.S. regulatory guideline
levels for GENX. However, as part of the European chemical registration, a 2-year chronic toxicity and cancer study with
rats was performed. They reported a Derived No Effect Level (DNEL) of 0.01 mg/kg bw/day. Based on U.S. risk
assessment calculations, this corresponds to a concentration in drinking water of 70,909 ng/L of GENX — more than 100
times greater than the mean value of 631 ng/L detected in the Cape Fear River. Based upon these data, the GENX levels
detectedin2O13'2Ol4w/ou|dbeexpectedtoposea|ovvrisktuhumanhea|th." The average level of3ZO Parts Per
Trillion from Brunswick County's June 29, 2017 samples are 19 times lower than the August 2014 samples.
Officials from NC DHHS and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are working with the EPA to learn more,
and it is expected that later this week or early next week the samples from DEQ will be available along with additional
information on Health Risk Levels from the North Carolina Division ofHealth and Human Services.
The full listing ofJune Z9,JO17sampling results are included below. Sampling was performed inaccordance with EPA
K4ethod571.
Raw Water
Finished Water
Percent
Constituent
Sample
Sample
Reduction
perf|uorobutanesu|hznicacid (PF8S)
ND
ND
perf|uorohexanoioacid (PFHxA)
11.6
8.91
23%
perf|uoro-Z-propoxypropanuicadd (GenX)
36.8
32.8
11%
perf|uoroheptanoicacid (PFHpA)
107
5.74
4696
perf|uorohexanesu|fonicacid (PFHxS)
4.68*
ND
100Y6
perf|uorooc1anoicacid (PFOA)
9.99
4.88
51%
perf|uorononanoicacid (PFNA)
2.22*
ND
100%
perf|uorooctanesu|fonicacid (PFOS)
14.3
5.22*
63%

*
ND l00%
ND ND
ND ND
ND ND
ND ND
known standard does not read this low but the result is above the minimum detection limit of the equipment
ND Non Detectable
The combined Health Risk Advisory level for PFOS and PFOA is 70 Parts Per Trillion. The combined amount found inthe
finished water sample was 1O.1Parts Per Trillion. Brunswick County will provide additional information asitbecomes