DEQ-CFW_00079759

7/7/2017 11:54:22 AM
Note: This is a rapidly evolving situation. Updates will be provided as new information becomes
available.
What is GenX?
GenX is a trade name for a man-made and unregulated chemical used in the manufacturing of nonstick
coatings and for other purposes.
Chemours' facility in Fayetteville began producing GenX commercially in 2009 as a replacement for
PFOA. The same chemical is also produced as a byproduct during other manufacturing processes and it
may have been present in the environment for many years before being produced commercially as GenX.
What is the state of North Carolina doing to address GenX in the Cape Fear River?
DEQ is working with the state Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the presence of
GenX in the Cape Fear River and develop the best available information on potential health risks
associated with the chemical.
On June 19, DEQ began collecting water samples from the Cape Fear River to determine current levels of
GenX in the water. Those samples will be analyzed by labs in Colorado and North Carolina. The results
will be used to provide information on drinking water safety. DHHS is reviewing all available health data
and working with the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get their guidance about
health risks of GenX.
As part of its probe, DEQ strongly encouraged Chemours, the company that produces the chemical at its
facility in Fayetteville, to identify any measures the company could take to reduce or eliminate discharge
of the chemical to the river.
Chemours responded to requests from state and local officials and residents by announcing that the
company would capture, remove and safely dispose of wastewater that contains the byproduct GenX
generated at its manufacturing facility in Fayetteville. Staff with the N.C. Department of Environmental
Quality on June 27, 2017 inspected Chemours" Fayetteville facility and verified that the company is
containing wastewater from the byproduct GenX, preventing the unregulated chemical compound from
discharging into the Cape Fear River. DEQ officials verified during an on -site inspection that Chemours
is redirecting the wastewater from the GenX process into temporary storage tanks at the Fayetteville
facility so it can be moved to an out-of-state facility for incineration.
DEQ is also requesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide regulatory guidance on
GenX and work with the state during its investigation of the chemical in the Cape Fear River. In response,
the EPA has informed DEQ it will work closely with state agencies and affected public water systems to
determine the appropriate next steps to ensure public health protection. The federal agency has also
launched its own investigation regarding Chemours' compliance with a 2009 order issued under the Toxic
Substances Control Act for the production of GenX.
Where are water quality samples being collected?
DEQ staff are collecting samples at 12 locations near Fayetteville, where the plant is located, and
Wilmington. Sampling began the week of June 19 and will continue in the same locations for four weeks.
On June 19, DEQ staff in the Fayetteville regional office started collecting water samples at the
DEQ-CFW-00079759

Chemours plant that produces GenX during industrial processes, the Bladen Bluff intake and their
finished water, and a water supply well in Bladen County.
On June 22, DEQ staff in the Wilmington regional office sampled at the intake site of the Lower Cape
Fear Water and Sewer Authority's intake, the International Paper intake, the International Paper finished
water, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's finished water, the Pender County public utility's finished
water, the Brunswick County public utility's finished water, the Cape Fear Public Utility's Aquifer
Storage and Recovery well, and the Wrightsville Beach water supply well. [Add details on anticipating
upcoming sampling.]
Why are officials waiting three days between sampling in Fayetteville and Wilmington?
It takes an estimated three days for water to flow the 70 miles down the Cape Fear River from the
Chemours plant in Fayetteville to the river intakes near Wilmington. Sampling similar water parcels in the
two areas will provide a more consistent and representative analysis.
Where will the samples be analyzed?
Water samples are being analyzed by two independent laboratories, a certified facility in Colorado, and a
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory in the Research Triangle Park near Raleigh. The
specialized analysis is extremely complex. There are only two laboratories in the U.S. capable of
processing these water samples.
When do you expect to have the results?
DEQ estimates that results should be available within a month from when the samples are received at the
laboratories.
Why are you taking three rounds of water quality samples?
Taking multiple samples will give the most accurate data. This will help us to better understand how
much GenX is currently in the river and provide more current data to help evaluate potential health
impacts.
Who will pay for the sampling and testing?
Chemours agreed to pay for the water collection and testing at the Colorado lab. EPA will cover the cost
of the lab analyses to be completed at the RTP lab.
How can GenX affect my health?
Limited health information is available for GenX at this time.
Early in the response, DHHS used existing research studies (albeit limited) and work that was done by the
European Chemical Agency to provide a preliminary health risk assessment. This preliminary analysis
concluded that the risk of adverse health effects from GenX was low at the levels found in the Cape Fear
River during 2013 and 2014. It's important to note that this is preliminary assessment was based on
available data and is likely to change as new information becomes available. DHHS has continued to
review all available health data and work with federal agencies (EPA and CDC) and academic researchers
since that time to better understand the health risks associated with GenX.
Data from water sampling underway now will confirm the current level of GenX in the Cape Fear River.
DEQ will provide this environmental data to DHHS so it can be used to conduct further analysis of
drinking water safety.
If you are concerned about your health, please speak with your medical provider or contact your local
health department.
DEQ-CFW-00079760

Is my water safe to drink?
Researchers from N.C. State University detected an average level of GenX of 631 ng/L in the Cape Fear
River in 2013 and 2014. Based on a preliminary health risk assessment, DHHS determined that the risk
of adverse health effects from GenX was low at these levels. This is a preliminary determination
based on the data that are currently available and is subject to change as new information becomes
available. DHHS continues to review all available data and work with partner agencies to understand and
better communicate health risks associated with GenX.
Data from the water sampling underway now will tell us how much GenX may be in the Cape Fear River
currently. DEQ will provide this environmental data to DHHS so that it can be used to conduct ffirther
analysis of the drinking water safety. The EPA is currently updating its risk assessment on GenX.
Are there home water filtration systems that can remove GenX?
At this time, there is not enough information to support the use of any specific filtration method (e.g.
reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, etc.) to remove GenX from water. Research into filtration
methods is on -going and new information will be shared as it becomes available.
Has the federal government made health recommendations for GenX?
U.S. EPA has published health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS, which are in the same family of
chemicals as GenX. However, the health risks of GenX could be different due to differences in chemical
structure that can affect how the chemical interacts with the body.
Is it safe to eat fish from the Cape Fear River?
There are no fish advisories in place related to GenX. A list of statewide and location -specific fish
advisories related to other contaminants is available at:
http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.html.
Do I need to be concerned about my groundwater?
Currently, we are not aware of impacts to groundwater. As part of its investigation, DEQ is testing several
groundwater public water supply sources for the presence of GenX. Those water supply wells are in
Wrightsville Beach, the Cape Fear Storage and Recovery Well and in Bladen County.
Is GenX regulated under the wastewater permit issued to Chemours?
Currently, there are no state or federal criteria for the regulation of the GenX compound in wastewater.
Will the state regulate GenX in Chemours' next wastewater permit?
The pen -nit currently is up for renewal. DEQ will take a close look at all topics relevant to regulation and
will not renew the permit while the investigation is underway.
How are drinking water standards developed?
North Carolina has adopted federal standards for drinking water. EPA has conducted three rounds of
testing for its Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, which looks at chemicals in drinking water
across the nation. Data from water monitoring are helpful in developing new rules as the number of
occurrences and health data indicate regulations are warranted. EPA uses several factors to develop rules,
including efficiency, cost and health benefits of removing the waste from a drinking water system.
What is an "emerging contaminant" or compound?
Under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, the EPA gathers data about select unregulated
contaminants to determine how often they appear in drinking water and at what levels. The EPA uses that
data along with relevant health effect studies to determine if regulation is necessary, and if so, at what
DEQ-CFW-00079761

levels. For information onthe Unregulated Contaminant Momtoning Rule, please visit:
hUom:/hvnw..
How did we learn that GeuX isiothe Cape Fear River?
Dr. 0odof}bnuono,professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering uiNCState
University, is one of the lead authors of a study that identified the presence ofGonXinthe Cape Fear
River. The November 2U|6report was produced inconjunction vrdh8P}\undrofloutothoimporta0000f
emerging technologies being used to detect unregulated containinants. It is not unusual for unregulated
contaminants tocome to|iuhtuotechnology gets better u1detecting them.
What about other related chemicals that might be in the water?
The same publication bvDr. }Jzannothat first identification ofGooXinsamples collected during
2O|3'20|4also included results for several other chemicals inthe same fluorinated family ofcompounds.
Concentrations ofolder legacy`chemicals (PFOA and PFOS)did not exceed the D8EPA Health
Advisory level of70nr/[ inthe lower section ofthe river near Wilmington. Foreomonevvoror
emerging" chemicals, specific levels could not be measured due to limitations of current laboratory
testing. Limited information is available about the potential health effects of these newer emerging
choodmdo. DUHURSioreviewing all available health data tobetter undorotamdand communicate possible
health ii sks for GenX and other related chemicals.
Is0EQtesting for these other chemicals?
Df%)iealso testing for the other unregulatedchemicals that Dr. Knomouidentified inhis November 2O|6
report. Wchave met with Dr. Knappe todiscuss his research and are ho working with the IIPA`mlab bn
Research Tniangle Park to replicate his team's analysis using current water samples.
Can the state take action againstCbemuormorukosethe
DBOstrongly encouraged Chemours toways to reduce oreliminate discharge of GenX into the
river. Chemours responded to requests from DEQ, local officials and citizens by announcing that it would
capture, remove and safely dispose of wastewater that contains the byproduct GenX generated at its
manufacturing facility in Fayetteville. DEQ verified during an on -site inspection June 27 that Chemours
iaredirecting the wastewater from the (}ouXprocess into temporary storage tanks utthe facility, uodcan
be moved off -site for disposal. DEQ will continue to press Chemours not to return to discharge of Gen]{
into the Cape Fear River.
Without identification ofimminent health dhneucDUG0cannot seek injunctive relief uonn�puny
operatingwithin the of its GonXie unregulated and therefore, not addressed inany
Chemours' permit is currently up for renewal and will not be renewed while our investigation is