DEQ-CFW_00052917

From: Chris Mackey [[e-mail]]
Sent: 7/14/2017 8:16:04 PM
To: Holman, Sheila [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group
(FYDI BOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=94a3f69674d34b769b3bd834a97105c5-schoI man]
Subject: State releases first water quality data, updated health information for GenX in Cape Fear River
Roy Cooper, Governor
E"n viamm en to I
Qualify
Release: Immediate Contact: Chris Mackey and Jamie Kritzer
Date: July 14, 2017 Phone: [phone]
Michael S. Regan, Secretary
State releases first water quality data, updated health information for GenX in Cape Fear River
Treated drinking water concentrations trending down; latest levels below updated health risk threshold
RALEIGH — State officials today released their first results of water quality samples and an updated preliminary health
assessment for concentrations of the unregulated compound GenX in finished, or treated, drinking water.
The revised health goal for exposure to GenX in drinking water is 140 nanograins per liter (also referred to as parts per
trillion).
Samples were analyzed at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lab in Research Triangle Park and at'r-c-s-t Arn-e-ric-a., a lab
in Colorado under contract to Chemours.
Data from samples collected June 19 and July 6 show that the most recent results of finished, or treated, water in all but one
facility were below the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' health goal of 140 parts per trillion. The data also
reveal that concentrations of GcnX are trending downward.
Although no information is available about recreational health risks, people should refrain from swimming near the Chemours
facility.
"Our goal is to protect the safety and health of all North Carolinians," said Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of
Health and Human Services. "We are working closely with our partners at the Department of Environmental Quality to
understand and communicate information in a timely manner, to help those impacted."
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan said:
"Safe drinking water is a top priority for this administration, and DEQ takes seriously its responsibility to protect the health and
welfare of the public. We will continue to investigate this issue and make new information available to the public in a timely
fashion."
The findings reflect water quality data from samples collected at 13 sites in the Fayetteville and Wilmington areas between June
19 -July 6. Results show higher concentrations near the point where Chemours' Fayetteville manufacturing facility was
discharging GenX into the Cape Fear River, and much lower concentrations at the public water supply systems near the facility
DEQ-CFW-00052917

and 70 miles downstream in the Wilmington area.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services released an initial preliminary health risk assessment on June 8 for GenX
in the Cape Fear River. Based on continuing analysis of health data and consultation with the Environmental Protection
Agency, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services today updated its initial preliminary health assessment for GenX,
the unregulated chemical compound recently identified in the lower Cape Fear River.
This updated health goal of 140 parts per trillion is expected to be the most conservative and health protective for non -cancer
effects in bottle-fed infants, pregnant women, lactating women, children and adults. This health goal is lower than the health
goal in the initial preliminary health assessment. This changes reflect information from new data. Detailed information
regarding the initial and revised assessments are posted online at: https_//nedenr_s3.amazot aN s.c_om/s3fs_-
public/GcnX/NC%20DHHS°/,20Risk%20Assessment%20FAQ%20Final%20Clean°%20071417%20PM.pdf.
Lower second week values reflect reduced exposure to GenX when, at the urging of state, local officials and concerned citizens,
Chemours on June 21 began diverting wastewater containing the contaminant into storage tanks to be shipped out of state for
incineration. DEQ inspected the Chemours site again this week after the company indicated that data it had collected was higher
than what it would have expected to see after the June 21 wastewater diversion had started. DEQ inspectors confirmed this
week that Chemours stopped the additional discharges of GenX into the river and is collecting them for removal and
incineration.
The following data table reflects partial results of concentrations of GenX after the water had been treated by public water
systems.
Location
International Paper Finished
NW Brunswick Water Treatment
Plant (WTP) Finished
Pender Co. 421 WTP Finished
CFPUA Sweeney Finished
Location
Bladen Bluffs Finished
Gen X Concentration in Finished Water
06/22/2017 results ppt 06/29/2017 results ppt 07/06/2017 results
ppt
Test America,
EPA
Test America,
EPA
Test
EPA
CO
RTP, NC
CO
RTP, NC
America
RTP, NC
690
523
140
111
N/A
80
910
695
51
52
N/A
125
340
269
160
112
N/A
68
1100
726
110
100
N/A
87
Gen X Concentration in Finished Water
06/19/2017 results ppt
Test America, CO
790
06/26/2017 results ppt
Test America, CO
76
DEQ-CFW 00052918

Early results from all |3test sites can bofound oothe N.C.Department o{ Quality's GcnXnebabc:
Adoomneni
showing the results in a spreadsheet is at: ht!ps://-vNwNv.neNvater.org/basins/Cqpc Fear/Gei-iXDtt.aspreadshect.pdf
Additional water sample testing and analysis are underway with results to be shared once analysis is completed.
ThoakUc`a preliminary health goal was developed ioconsultation with EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Ongoing discussions will applyguidance from leading federal researchers of emerging contaminants hohelp state
officials provide the public with the best information available on potential health risks posed by GenX.
Officials have been collecting water samples a( multiple locations iotheFayetteville and Wilmington areas each week since
Juno 19 and will continue sampling until at least late July. D20 officials have extended the simte`o sampling regimen from
Ubroe-to-uisweeks (oprovide amore comprehensive understanding ofGex0{concentrations iothe lower Cape Fear River.
For ruodhorinformation, please contact Chnio Mackey, with the B1Z.Department n[Health and Human Services, N9|9-855-
4840or0|9-44|-3577 orJunhc Krdzer, with the Y4I.Department ofEnvironmental Quality u10|9-7O7-86O2or9|9-2l8-
j93j.
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