DEQ-CFW_00023123

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Michael S. Regan, Secretary
Release: FdMEDIATE Contact: Jamie Kritzer
Date: July 21, 2017 Phone: [phone]
GenX concentrations in treated water remain below state health goal
RALEIGH — State officials today released new data for GenX concentrations in water samples collected in the Cape Fear
River July 3 and 6.
Concentrations of the unregulated chemical GenX in most treated water remained below the 140 parts per trillion health
goal developed last week by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The health goal represents the
concentration of GenX at which no adverse non -cancer health effects would be anticipated over an entire lifetime of
exposure to the most sensitive populations. Because there is little research on GenX, DHHS developed the health goal
with preliminary guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
"The good news is that most recent testing results are showing levels oj'GenX trending downward to near or below our
health goal, "saidAlandy Cohen, secretary of'the N.C. Department ofHealth and Human Services. "Based on what we're
seeing, people should feel comfortable drinking their water. We are keeping a close eye on any trends and, as we have
been doing, will alert the public in timely fashion as we have new results to share. "
Michael Regan, secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, added that his agency and staff at DHHS continue
to investigate.
"The first three weeks of data are encouraging as most of the treated water is below the state's health goal, but our work is
far from over. We are committed to completing our investigation and ensuring we're taking all necessary steps to protect
the safety of those who depend on the Cape Fear River for drinking water."
On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper wrote to Scott Pruitt, the EPA's administrator, asking that the agency move more
quickly to finalize its health assessment and set a maximum contaminant level for the unregulated chemical. Chemours
stopped the discharge of GenX to the Cape Fear, but the governor is asking for additional actions from the EPA because
these are critical steps for North Carolina to be able to require Chemours to permanently limit or eliminate the discharge
of GenX.
As part of the state's investigation, DEQ this week also expanded the number of sites and frequency of its water sampling
regimen in the Cape Fear River. The state is now collecting water samples at 15 sites, up from 13 sites last week. DEQ
will also sample an additional two weeks, until at least the end of July. State officials will use test results to inform
decision making regarding future sampling. Taking multiple samples from many locations will give the most accurate data
and help the state better understand how much GenX is currently in the river and provide more current data to help
evaluate potential health impacts.
Water samples drawn on July 3 in the Fayetteville area, including the Chemours manufacturing facility, and July 6 in the
Wilmington area show that most finished water sites have concentrations of GenX near or below the health goal of 140
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parts per trillion. Public health officials stress that fluctuating outcomes above 140 ppt should not be interpreted as unsafe,
since the health goal was set at the most conservative level suggested by federal guidance.
Samples from some locations show elevated concentrations in raw water that reflect continued discharge by Chemours,
notably at the facility itself. After stating on June 21 that it had diverted wastewater discharge containing GenX, the
company identified and halted other sources on July 13. Samples taken after July 13 should demonstrate a steady decline
in concentrations at all sites.
DEQ has created a new map on its GenX web page to better illustrate the sample results. Results may be viewed at:
https:Hdeq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation/genx-sampling-sites. For information about the state's
investigation, you can check out the GenX web page at: https:Hdeq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation.
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1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 RSS feed: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/opa/news-releases-
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DEQ-CFW 00023124