DEQ-CFW_00023171

� • ••1- • - =
Michael S. Regan, Secretary
Release: PdMEDIATE Contact: Jamie Kritzer; Chris Mackey
Date: July 21, 2017 Phone: [phone]
EMBARGOED: GenX concentrations in treated water continue downward trend based on new data
State officials: people can continue drinking and using their water
RALEIGH — As part of its ongoing investigation, state officials today released new data for GenX concentrations in
water samples collected July 3 and 6 in the Cape Fear River.
Those test results show that concentrations of the unregulated chemical GenX in most treated water samples collected by
the state 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. State officials stress that some
fluctuation in results is expected for measurements in the parts -per -trillion range.
The concentrations of GenX have dropped significantly since the state's investigation prompted Chemours, the chemical's
manufacturer, to stop discharging GenX into the Cape Fear. Sampling is continuing at multiple locations in the river this
week and next week.
"The good news is that most recent testing results are showing levels of GenX trending downward to near or below our
health goal," said Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. "Based on what we're
seeing, we're advising that people can continue drinking and using 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 gathered as part of our investigation are encouraging, and we're continuing our
investigation to protect the health and safety of those who depend on the Cape Fear River for drinking water and other
uses," Secretary Regan said.
Chemours' wastewater discharge permit is up for renewal. DEQ staff are reviewing all topics relevant to regulating the
company's discharges and will not renew the permit while the investigation is underway.
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 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 at Chemours' wastewater discharge outfall, and July 6
in the Wilmington area show that all finished water sites have concentrations of GenX near or below the health goal of
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|4Uparts per trillion. None ofthe finished water results oofar have been substantially above the health goal, -which ioset
a1the most conservative level.
Water from all six weeks of samples are being sent VztheEnvironmental ProtectionAgency's lab iuthe RomourohTriangle
Park and Test Anudca`olab inColorado. Sheila Holman, assistant secretary for the N.[. Department ofEnvironmental
said the Test America and EPA data appear tobo trending downward bnthe same manner.
"We do not have any test data from weeks two and three where ufinished water sample was over the health goal for both
Test America and the EPA luh," Holman said.
Samples from some locations show elevated concentrations of GenX in raw water that reflect continued discharge by
Chemours in early July. At the request of the state and others, Chemours began diverting the main source of GenX away
from the river and into holding tanks on June 2 1. The waste is being sent out-of-state for incineration. The company later
identified other sources of GenX discharge at its facility and stopped those, which DEQ inspectors confirmed during a
July 13 site visit. DII0 Plans to continue closely monitoring the Fayetteville facility.
Anumber offactors can influence sampling concentrations, including differences in rainfall and river flows. But Holman
said thatvariability iusuch lowconcentrations is going Lohogreater and it's important toput such small concentrations
into perspective.
"It is very difficult to understand how minute a particle one part per tni Ilion really is," Holman said. "To better visualize it,
one part per trillion would borepresented hvusingle drop offood coloring in|8million gallons ofwater. Lnterms of
time, ua|ooeoondouLof32,0U0yeaoiueooivm|ou1LoonopmdporUiUion."
DG0expects Vzrelease another batch ofwater sampling results amsoon uonext week. The additional weeks ofdata will
better reveal if there is an overall downward trend. DEQ is also working with the EPA lab to test for concentrations of
other compounds related to GenX also noted in a research paper published by Detlef Knappe, the N.C. State ru00000hor
-who worked with the EPA toidentify Gon}{inthe Cape Fear River.
DEQ has created anew map on its GenX web p��h�r������e�.�a�r����d�
hono:Hduo.nc -odoo.Porbnfbrmudonuhoutdeotato`o
investigation, you can check out the GenX web page at: https:Hdeq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation.
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