HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEQ-CFW_00080303From: Kritzer, Jamie [/D=[XCHANG[LAB5/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=C[E9]C49D01445A]B541B8327DCDCD4O-JBKR|TZ[R]
Sent: 7/14/I0I75:08:26PW1
To: K8ackey, Chris [/h=[xchangeLabs/ou=ExchangeAdministrative Group
(FYD|8OHFZ33PDO)/cn=Redpient$cn=aef8f6bO6bI]4Zc5b282aeO8d2b45Ice'cmackey3]
Subject: RE: Sending you info
Got it. Will incorporate now.
Jamie Kritzer
Communications Director
N�Department ofEnvironmental Quality
919-707-8602
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From: Mackey, Chris
Sent: Friday, July 14,2U171:OOPK4
To: Kritzer, Jamie ^jamie.kritzer@ncdenr.8ov>
Subject: RE: Sending you info
"Our goal, is to protect the safety and health of all North Carolinians said Mandy Cohen, M.D., Secretary of the N.C.
Department of Health and Human Services. In doing so, we are working closely with our partners at the Department of
Environmental Quality to understand and communicate the potential health risks in a timely manner, to help those
impacted by this GenX."
From: Kritzer, Jamie
Sent: Friday, July 14,2U171l:O5AM
To: Mackey, Chris ; Coleman, Scott ; Shehee, Mina
Benton,
Cc: Akroyd, Cathy R � Kritzer, Jamie
Subject: Sending you info
Folks,
Here's the news release and the information from DHHS is below:
Based on continuing analysis of health data and consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has revised its health risk assessment for GenX, the unregulated
chemical compound recently identified in the lower Cape Fear River. The presence of the compound has raised concerns
about public water supplies in southeastern North Carolina.
The assessment establishes a provisional health goal, also referred to as screening level. Ahealth goal is non -
regulatory, non -enforceable level that represents the concentration of GenX at which no adverse non -cancer health
effects would be anticipated over an entire lifetime of exposure to the most sensitive population. Health goals are
frequently updated asnew information becomes available.
"Our goal, as always, is to ensure that we provide the most accurate information, in a timely manner, to help ensure the
safetyofaUNoMLhCaro|iniansimpactedbythisemergin8contaminant,"saidMandyCohen,M.D,SecretaryoftheNI.
DepartmentufHea|thandHumanServices."VVearevvorkin8dose|yvvithourpartnersattheDepartmentof
Environmenta|Oua|itytounderstandandcommunicatethepotentia|hea|thrisksofGenX."
The revised health goal for exposure to GenX in drinking water is 140 nanograms per liter (also referred to as parts per
trillion). 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 considerably lower than the health goal from the initial health
assessment. This change was based on factors including use of a different set of animal studies as a starting point and
assuming that there could be other potential sources of exposure to GenX in the environment. Detailed information
regarding the initial and revised assessments are posted online at
Based on discussions with EPA, there is not enough information to identify a specific level of GenX that might be
associated with an increased risk for cancer. Health information is also not available to provide a risk assessment for the
other newer or "emerging" compounds related to GenX. DHHSvvi|| continue towork with EPA and the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify and share any health risk information about these compounds as it
"VVe understand that the uncertainty about health risks from these chemicals bvery stressful for people who rely on
these water sources", said Dr. Cohen. "Having safe drinking water isa basic expectation, and w/eare committed to
he|pin8peop|eunderstandthepotentia|riskssotheycanmakethebestdeddonsforthemse|vesandtheirfami|ies."
The health goals will be used for the health risk assessment of Cape Fear River and finished drinking water
samples. Results will be given to with DEQ and the two state agencies will determine what, ifany, health protective
measures are needed.
In late June, Chemours stopped discharging GenX into the Cape Fear River and now sends it to Arkansas where it is
incinerated. GenX is used as a replacement for other perfluorinated compounds and is also produced as a byproduct of
manufacturing process that have been ongoing at the plant since 1980.. It's presence in the Cape Fear River was first
reported inapublication from JO16
Jamie Kritzer
Communications Director
N.C.Department ofEnvironmental Quality
919'707'8602
a S is S
t'."e o"i,
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DEQ-CFW-00080305