DEQ-CFW_00080706

Is the water safe to drink right now?
DFIFiS is not advising or recommending that anyone refrain from drinking the water right now.
Would you drink the water? If not, why?
This is an individual decision. It is our goal to provide information so people can make informed health
decisions for themselves and their families.
Was the water safe to drink on May 1 of this year? Jan 1? What about in 2016?
For May 1 or January 1, we can't answer that question because we don't have water test results for
those dates or whether those were dates that Chemours was not discharging CenX into the river.
When did you first learn about Gen X in the water? When did the Governor first learn about this
issue?
Our colleagues at DEQ alerted us to this issue shortly after the news broke in Wilmington on June 8.
. . • r- • • • I rutr
routinely? What do they •. to approve permits?
[DEQ response needed]
D• the permits for• l .w for discharge of .standard
responsethat can be legally enforced by DEQ or EPA?
needed]
reported •? Was it the company that did the testing or r- r
1 • response needed]
Dr. Knappe's report identified other chemicals in the eater. Staff in DEQ and DHHS are working with
both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to learn
everything we can about these chemicals. It is likely that little will be known, but we will let you know
any developments in this area ASAP.
If DHHS isn't responsible for conducting research/tests on these other chemicals, who is responsible
and has DHHS made a request to them?
In addition to researchers and research institutions, the EPA and CDC have the primary responsibility for
conducting this type of research. And yes, we have asked the federal agencies to share any/all research
already in -hand and to support new, additional research.
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DEQ has the current lead in testing the water for CenX. Several local public utilities are also testing the
water.
Why was there no health goal for Gen X prior to this month?
It is an unregulated chemical compound. it's presence in the Cape Fear River was not known to DHHS
prior to June 8.
Why did the health goal get reduced so quickly after it was first announced? What data are you using
to make these determinations?
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared a preliminary assessment and
health goal for CenX to provide some context. Since then DHHS has continued to review all available
health information about Cent.
Is there Gen X in the soil? Air? Other? How is that regulated and what is the total impact on a person?
[DEQ response needed]
Who does studies of the impact on Gen X on humans? Have any been done? If not, why not?
There have been few studies on Cent and none involved humans. Research studies involving humans is
usually sponsored/overseen by the federal government, academic medical facilities and large
universities.
It sounds like you are passing the buck to EPA, what is the state's role in regulating Gen X and other
chemicals?
[DEC. response needed]
Why hasn't EPA acted already to address this? What is the process to get them to act? How long will
it take?
The Governor sent a letter to the EPA July 17 urging them to revisit the permit issued to Chemours that
allows discharge of CenX into the Cape Fear River.
(DEQ— Anything to add?)
Is it safe for me to water my vegetable garden?
We have no information to suggest that you should not use the water for your vegetable garden.
Is it safe for me to give my pet water? What are the long-term impacts for them of drinking the
water?
We are not advising pet owners to refrain from giving water to their pets.
Is it safe for me mix my baby's formula with the local water?
Yes, it is safe to mix your baby's formula with the local water. The health goal of 140 ngf L is based upon
the safety of bottle-fed infants. We would expect a low risk of health effects from consuming water
below this concentration.
Is there a blood test or body scan to determine if I have GenX in my body? Will Chemours or the state
pay for it?
We are not aware of a blood test that your doctor can order to determine if you have CenX in your
body. Even so, we are not aware of a lab that is currently accepting blood samples to toast for Cent.
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Why are the GenX test results higher in some areas than others, particularly sites near the Chemours
plant?
[DEQ response needed]
If Chemours has stopped discharging GenX in to the river, why is GenX still being detected?
[DEQ response needed]
Does GenX cause cancer?
We do not have any data about GenX causing cancer in humans. Cancers of the pancreas, liver, and
testes were seen in animal studies.
Why did your health risk assessment rely on animal tests, wouldn't we want to know how it impacts
humans?
Germ is an emerging chemical compound, so there is not much known abet it. That also means that
there has not been a lot of testing done on GenX, and toxicological testing begins first with animals and
is later followed by testing on humans. GenX testing is in its early stages and what has been donne is
limited to animals.
Your health goal is tied to the level of risk for an infant. Not everyone is an infant, so why not
set/share goals for different subgroups of the population?
When the federal or state government sets a health goal, they identify a number that is most
conservative. That way it is the most health protective for anyone regardless of their age, if they are
pregnant or breastfeeding.
I'm a livestock farmer, is it safe to give the water to my [chickens, turkeys, hogs]? Is there any risk
GenX will get into the food supply?
We are not advising that farmers not give water to their chickens, turkeys or hogs. We do not have any
data to suggest that GenX will get into the food supply. And the EPA has said they don't anticipate that
GenX will build up or accumulate in fish residing in the Cape Fear River.
Should I purchase a water filtration system for my house so as to remove the GenX from my water?
We are not recommending that you purchase a water filtration system,. That's because we haven't seen
any data that suggests a particular filter or system is capable of removing GenX from the water.
y water softener company says they can remove all of the GenX from my home water, do you agree
or disagree with them?
We are not aware of a water softener or filtration system that is capable of removing GenX from your
home's water.
Is it safe to bathe in the water or to wash my clothes in it? Can GenX seep into my skin?
Yes, it is safe to bathe in the water and to wash your clothes.
Are DHHS and DEQ working well together, or are they squabbling again like what happened with the
Coal Ash thing?
DHHS and DEQ have a long history of working collaboratively. We are not squabbling; rather, we are
daily working side -by -side, sharing information and ideas. We are jointly committer) to protecting the
public's health and safety. That's a 24/7J565 commitment.
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