DEQ-CFW_00078270

From: [e-mail]@ncdencgov
Sent: 6/I4/20178:50:3IPN1
To: Lucas, Jill M [/o=ExchanXeLabs/ou=ExchangeAdministrative Group
(FYD|BOHFI]3PDLT)/cn=Kecipients/cn=7187fo4IO6394e6Oa5e554ccI79cOd72-jm|ucas]
Subject: Re: DEQ, DHHS investigating reports of unregulated chemical in Cape Fear River
MM
Sent from myiP4zonn
[NJun l42Ol7a14:33PM, "Luoas, JiUM" wrote:
Chris is at DHHS?! That's wonderful.
From: Jamie Kritzer
Sent: Wednesday, June 14,Z0174:11PK4
To: Lucas, Jill M
Subject: DEQ, DHHS investigating reports of unregulated chemical in Cape Fear River
Roy Cooper, Governor
Michael S. Regan, Secretary
Envit-onmental
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Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Jamie Kritzer, Chris Mackey
Date: June 14, 2017
Phone: 9|0-707-8602;9|9-855-4840
DEQ, DNH8 investigatingreports ofunrcVpkmtcdchemical inCupcFear River
RAJL0DG|0—The NI.Department o[Environmental Quality ioleading ostate investigation regarding reports ofun
unregulated chemical in the Cape Fear River.
DEQ staff, in consultation with state Department of Health and Human Services, are investigatingthe presence o[o compound
known osGen}{ DB0ix encouraging Cbonuoum,the company Ub� the chemical in
dustrial processes u(ds
���� cFayetteville, �identify any measures that can botaken to reduce meliminate the dischargesofthe chemical tothe
river until the state completesits investigation. DEQ iaalso pushing theEnvironmental 9rotou(kxo Agency toprovide regulatory
guidance onGon)<.
State environmental regulators will collect water samples from the Cape Fear River and will send those boa laboratory capable
of detecting Gon}C in water o(low concentrations. The laboratory has indicated that the materials the ob8o is required to use for
the water collection and testing should arrive next week. DEQ staff are prepared to mobilize as soon as the sampling materials
arrive from the lab. After meeting with DEQ staff this week, Chemours agreed to bear all costs for the water collection and

when the samples are received, but multiple rounds of testing and analysis will be necessary for a meaningful evaluation of the
water quality.
"We are seeking answers and solutions to a problem that has prompted understandable concern among citizens who live and
work in Wilmington and the lower Cape Fear region," said Michael Regan, secretary of the state Department of Environmental
Quality. "We are taking a hard look at the quality of the region's source of drinking water and all options we have to limit or
eliminate how much of this chemical makes its way to the river."
Mandy Cohen, the secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said: "The department has a history of
close collaboration with DEQ to protect the health of North Carolinians. We are working closely with DEQ to understand more
about GenX and we will keep people informed as we get more information."
Staff at DHHS also have initiated daily conference calls with local health departments in the lower Cape Fear region to share
the latest information on this issue.
There are no U.S. regulatory guideline levels for GenX. However, based on available published research, the levels of GenX
that were detected in the Cape Fear River in 2013 -14 would have posed a minimal health risk. This is a relatively new chemical,
and the health effects are not fully understood at the current time.
"A sampling event from 2014 is the most recent data that shows GenX present in the Cape Fear, which makes obtaining new
data critical," Regan said.
More recent data will be available for analysis following the water sampling expected to get underway in the coming days.
Leadership in DEQ have reached out to staff with the Environmental Protection Agency seeking information about GenX.
The EPA, which is the lead agency responsible for establishing drinking water standards, is working to establish guidance on
unregulated compounds such as GenX that North Carolina and other states can use to develop potential regulations for the
chemical compound.
DEQ staff are pushing Chemours officials to limit the amount of GenX making its way into the river. A Chemours official told
state environmental regulators this week that the company is working to assess waste streams containing GenX and determine
whether the company can reduce the amount of GenX discharged to the river under current production levels.
DEQ and DHHS leadership plan to participate in a meeting in New Hanover County convened by local officials on Thursday to
establish the next steps in addressing this issue. Representatives from Chemours are expected to attend the Thursday meeting.
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DEQ-CFW-00078271