DEQ-CFW_00080904

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Michael S. Regan, Secretary
Release: FdMEDIATE Contact: Jamie Kritzer; Chris Mackey
Date: July 25 2017 Phone: [phone]
EMBARGOED: GenX concentrations in treated water continue downward trend based on new data
State officials: people can continue drinking and using their water
RALEIGH — As part of its ongoing investigation, state officials today released new data for GenX concentrations in
water samples collected July 3 and 6 in the Cape Fear River.
Those test results show that concentrations of the unregulated chemical GenX in most treated water samples collected by
the state remained below the 140 parts per trillion health goal developed last week by the N.C. Department of Health and
Human Services. The health goal 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 populations. State officials stress that some
fluctuation in results is expected for measurements in the parts -per -trillion range.
The concentrations of GenX have dropped since the state's investigation prompted Chemours, the chemical's
manufacturer, to stop discharging GenX into the Cape Fear. Sampling is continuing at multiple locations in the river this
week and next week.
"The good news is that most recent testing results are showing levels of GenX in treated water trending downward to near
or below our health goal," said Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. "Based
on what we're seeing, we're advising that people can continue drinking and using their water. We are keeping a close eye
on any trends and, as we have been doing, will alert the public in timely fashion as we have new results to share."
Michael Regan, secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, added that his agency and staff at DHHS continue
to investigate.
"The first three weeks of data gathered as part of our investigation are encouraging, and we're continuing our
investigation to protect the health and safety of those who depend on the Cape Fear River for drinking water and other
uses," Regan said.
As part of the state's investigation, DEQ his also expanded the number of sites and frequency of its water sampling
regimen in the Cape Fear River. The state is now collecting water samples at 14 sites, up from 13 sites last week. DEQ
will also sample an additional two weeks, until the end of July. State officials will use test results to inform decision
making regarding future sampling. Taking multiple samples from many locations will give the most accurate data and
help the state better understand how much GenX was in the river at the time of sampling.It will also provide more current
data to help evaluate potential health impacts.
Water from all six weeks of samples is being sent to the Environmental Protection Agency's lab in the Research Triangle
Park and Test America's lab in Colorado.
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DEQ-CFW 00080904

Water samples drawn onJuly 3intheFayetteville urou including u1Chcoour`wastewater diounur�c outfa@, and July 6
inthe Wilmington area show that most finished water sites have concentrations of GenX near or below the health goal of
140 narts oer trillion. Seven of the nine samvIcs collected at treated water sites July 3 and 6 were below the 140 narts i)er
"It imvery difficult tounderstand how minute a particle one part per thIlion really im," Holman said. "To better visualize
one part per trillion would be represented by a single drop of food coloring in 18 million gallons of water."
Samples from some locations show elevatedconcentrations of{}cn}{inraw water that reflect continued discharge by
Chemours bnearly July. Atthe request ofthe state and others, Chomourobegan diverting the main source ofGon}{away
from the river and into holding tanks onJune 2|.'Me waste iobeing sent oo1'of-uiu1efor incineration. The company later
identified other sources of[enXdischarge a1its facility and stopped those, which D2(linspectors confirmed durinca
July 12 site visit. DEQ plans to continue closely monitoring the Fayetteville facility.
DE0expects Voreceive and make publicly available another batch ofwater sampling results uosoon oonext week. The
additional weeks of data will better reveal if there is an overall downward trend. DEQ is also working with the EPA lab to
test for concentrations of other compounds related to GenX also noted in a research paper published by Detlef Knappe,
the N.[.State University researcher who worked with the EPA toidentify GonXiuthe Cape Fear River.
DG0has created amap onits GeoXweb page inbetter illustrate dheetato`o sampling results. Results may heviewed at:
hUne:Hdco.nc -odoe. For more information about the etato`o
investigation, you can check out the GenX web page at: https:Hdeq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation.
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