DEQ-CFW_00079963

From: Kritzer, Jamie [/D=[XCHANG[LAB5/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=C[E9]C49D01445A]B541B8327DCDCD4O-JBKR|TZ[R]
Sent: 7/1I/I0I78:I3:I6PW1
To: Wagner, Adam [adam.*[e-mail]]
Subject: Water sampling data release
Just alittle advance notice, incase ithelps ondeadline.
]K
State agency receives first GenX water sample data and begins analysis
State to releasefirst results once analysis is complete
RALEIGH — State officials have received data from the first rounds of water samples collected in the Cape Fear River to
test for the unregulated chemical GenX.
Officials with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality received the first setsufwater quality data from the Test
America lab in Colorado on Monday and Tuesday. The data comes from water samples collected June 19-29 near the
Chemoursfaci|ity in Fayetteville that produces GenX, and downstream atwater treatment facilities in the Fayetteville
and Wilmington areas.
The water sample collection and data analysis are part of an ongoing investigation by DE[land DHHS into the presence
ofGenX inthe Cape Fear River.
Staff inDRQ started Monday conducting a quality assurance review of the data and will send their final data review later
this week to public health experts in the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The public health staff with
DHHSare reviewing all available health data to better understand the health risks associated with GenX. Once their
analyses are completed, both agencies will share the results and updated health risk assessments in a news release and
online atthe state'sweb page devoted toGenX,
"Our goal is to make the nohUo uno�e of our as soon as " said Michael Beoao' secretary nfthe [�.C.
Department of "We will continue noreport the results ofthe analyses in thecoming days and
weeks. Taking multiple samples willgive the most accurate data, and enable everyone tobetter understand how much
GcnX was in the n*ver duning sampling and any potential health impacts it might have."
Mandy Cohen, secretary for DlBBS,said public health staff are working with theEnvironmental Protection Agency., the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and academic researchers to better understand any health risks associated
with GenX.
"There iolimited information available about the health effects of GenX and related chemicals, but we are working every
day with our federal partners and academic researchers tobetter understand everything wecan about this wiregulated
compound," Cohen said. "Our health nisk assessments are routinely updated as new information about GenX becomes
Aspart ufthe ongoing investigation, staff with DE(lstarted June 19collecting the water samples totest for levels of
GenX in the river. Officials have collected water samples in the same 12 locations near Fayetteville and Wilmington and
are completing the fourth round oftests this week. Al3 th|ocationupstneamoftheChemoursfaci|ity—theHofferVVater
Treatment Plant — was added to the sampling regimen last week and this week. State officials will base future sampling
decisions on the results. Separate samples were sent for analysis to two labs capable of detecting GenX at |ovv
concentrations: Test America and the EPA's lab in the Research Triangle Park. Both labs are continuing to receive and
analyze data from the water samples collected and will make that data available to state officials during the coming days
and weeks. ###

Jamie Kritzer
Co
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-8602
UL�I- �*,
DEQ-CFW-00079964