DEQ-CFW_00080353

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; latest levels below updated health risk threshold
RALEIGH — State officials today released their first results of water quality samples and an updated
preliminary health assessment for concentrations of the unregulated compound GenX in finished, or
treated, drinking water.
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.
Data from samples collected June 19 and July 6 show that the most recent results of finished, or treated,
water in all but one facility were below the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' health goal
of 140 parts per trillion. The data also reveal that concentrations of GenX are trending downward.
Although no information is available about recreational health risks, people should refrain from
swimming near the [hemourufacility.
"Our goal, is to protect the safety and health of all North Carolinians," said Mandy 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 information in a timely manner,
tohelp those impacted."
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan said:
"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. We will continue to investigate this issue and make new
information available to the public in a timely fashion."
The findings reflect water quality data from samples collected at 13 sites in the Fayetteville and
Wilmington areas between June 19 -July 6. Results show higher concentrations near the point where
Chemours' Fayetteville manufacturing facility was discharging GenX into the Cape Fear River, and much
|uvver concentrations 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 released an initial preliminary health risk
assessment on June 8 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 of Health and Human

Services today updated its initial preliminary health assessment for GenX, the unregulated chemical
compound recently identified inthe lower Cape Fear River.
This updated health goal of 140 parts per trillion is expected to be the most conservative and health
protective for noneancerefhects in bottle-fed infants, pregnant women, lactating women, children and
adults. This health goal is lower than the health goal in the initial preliminary health assessment. This
changes reflect information from new data. Detailed information regarding the initial and revised
assessments are posted online at: https://ncdenr.s3.amazonaxvs.com/s3fs-
pubUc/GenX/N[Y6JODHHSY6JORisk`/`JOAoessment96Z0FA{y`/`JOFina|Y6JO[|eanY6ZUO71417Y6JOPM.pdf.
Lower second week values reflect reduced exposure to GenXvvhen, at the urging of state, local officials
and concerned citizens, Chemours on June 21 began diverting wastewater containing the contaminant
into storage tanks to be shipped out of state for incineration. DE[linspected the [hemours site again
this week after the company indicated that data it had collected was higher than what it would have
expected to see after the June 21 wastewater diversion had started. DE{linspectors 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 ofconcentrations ofGenX after the water had been

Early results from all 13 test sites can be found on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's GenX
w/ebsite:
https://ncdenr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/vvebappvievveV1ndex.htm|?id=OceScl795dee4U2686G7S95636Sd
579CiAdocument showing the results inaspreadsheet isat:
https://w/wvv.nuwater.oru/basins/[ape_Fear/GenXDataspreadsheet.pdf.
Additional water sample testing and analysis are underway with results to be shared once analysis is
completed.
The state's preliminary health goal was developed in 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.
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 of GenX concentrations in the lower Cape Fear River.
For further information, please contact Chris Mackey, with the NI.Department ofHealth and Human
Services, at919-8S5-4O4Oor919'441'3S77,orJamie Kritzer, with the NI.Department ofEnvironmental
Quality at 919-707-8602 or 919-218-5935.
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