DEQ-CFW_00080289

NlichmdS,8cgmo,Secretary
N.C. Department o{Environmental Quality
NlanUK,Cohen, Secretary
N.C. Departnient wfHealth and Human 8crvccs
State releases first water quality data, updated health information for GenXinCape Fear River
Treated drinking water concentrations trending down and latest levels below new health risk threshold
RALEIGH — State officials today released their first results of water quality samples and a revised health
risk assessment for concentrations of the unregulated compound GenX in the Cape Fear River.
The revised health goal for exposure to GenX in drinking water is 140 nanograms 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 Test America, a lab in Colorado under contract to Chemours. TheJune 29 -?data from the EPA's lab
and Test America's lab in Colorado show that the most recent results of treated water in all but one
facility were within the DHHS' health risk goal of 140 parts per trillion.
"quote needed tosay what xveare seein8,"said Secretary Mandy Cohen. " "
The findings reflect water quality data from samples collected at 12 sites in the Fayetteville and
Wilmington areas between June 19 -29. Results show/ higher concentrations near the point where
[hemoun/ Fayetteville manufacturing facility was discharging the unregulated compound into the Cape
Fear River, with much lower figures observed at the public water supply systems near the facility and 70
miles downstream in the Wilmington area.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services conducted a health risk assessment 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 ufHealth and Human Services revised its earlier health risk
assessment for GenX, the unregulated chemical compound recently identified in the lower Cape Fear
River.
This goal is expected to be health protective for non -cancer effects in bottle-fed infants, pregnant
women, lactating women, children and adults. This goal is lower than the health goal from the initial
health assessment. This change was based on factors including the use of a different set of animal
studies as a starting point and assuming that there could be other potential sources ofexposure to GenX
in the environment. Detailed information regarding the initial and revised assessments are posted online
atw/w/w/..\
Results will begiven to with DEQ and SOMETHING MISSING HERE the two state agencies will determine
what, if any, health protective measures are needed. Such as? What does this mean??
"Our goal, as always, is to ensure that we provide the most accurate information, in a timely manner, to
he|pensurethesafetyofaUNorth[ano|iniansimpactedbythisemergin8contaminant,"saidK4andy

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 the potential
health risks of GenX"
"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," said Michael Regan, secretary of N.C. Department of
Environmental Quality. "We will continue to investigate this issue and make new information available
to the public in a timely fashion."
Concentrations of GenX represented a significant decrease the farther away results were collected from
Chemours' facility. Lower second week values reflect reduced exposure to GenX when, at the urging of
state and local officials as well as concerned citizens, Chemours on June 21 began diverting wastewater
containing the contaminant into storage tanks to be shipped out of state for incineration. DEQ
inspectors were deployed this week after Chemours indicated that data the company had collected was
higher than what it would have expected to see after the June 21 wastewater diversion had begun. DEQ
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.
Results from all 12 test sites for the first two weeks of water sampling can be found on the N.C.
Department of Environmental Quality's GenX website:
DEQ-CFW 00080290

5790. Additional water sample testing and analysis are underway with results to be shared once
analysis iscompleted.
State officials caution against comparing raw and finished drinking water values from same -day
samples, as water that had completed a treatment cycle would have started the process with an earlier,
and potentially different, exposure to GenX.
The information was based on consultation with EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Ongoing discussions will apply guidance from leading federal researchers of emerging
contaminants to help state officials provide the public with the best information available on potential
health risks posed byGenX.
Some local utilities and governments also are conducting independent water sampling. Since the
protocols in place for these samplings and related analysis may not be consistent with the DEQ
practices, they are not being factored into the state's health risk assessment.
Officials have been collecting water samples at multiple locations in the Fayetteville and Wilmington
areas each week since June 19 and will continue sampling until at least late July. DEQ officials have
extended the state's sampling regimen from three -to -six weeks to provide a more comprehensive
understanding ufGenXconcentrations inthe lower Cape Fear River.
For the state process, DEQ staff collect water samples and provide them toTest America and the EPA
lab. Staff at each lab test samples for the presence of GenX, then send reports to DEQ for quality
assurance review to ensure accuracy. These vetted results are then provided to DHHS, which performs
a health risk analysis.
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