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Note: Due /oinnxtsftom state andjederal partners, information about KenX is continually evolving.
Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
What is GenX?
{}unX ioutrade name for uman-made and unregulated chemical used in manufacturing nonstick coatings
and for other purposes.
Chomour `fboUdtyin Fayettevillebuuom producing GonXcommercially in2U0Aumu replacement for
PFO/\.Thosame chemical iealso produced as byproduct during other manufacturing processes and k
may have been present inthe environment for many years before being producedcommercially uoGonX.
What is the state of North Carolina doing toaddress GenX in the Cape Fear River?
At Governor Roy Cooper's direction, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and the state
Department of Health and Human Services launched an investigation June 14 into the presence of GenX
in the Cape Fear River. The river serves as the primary source ofdrinking water for B|udcn, Brunswick,
New Hanover and Pundurcounties.
Aapart ofthe state probe, DUB0began onJune |P collecting water samples from the Cape Fear River 0o
determine current levels of(}onX inthe water. State officials continue Vocollect water samples, with
samples being tested at an EPA lab in North Carolina and a private lab, Test America, in Colorado.
Using data from the water samples, state public health experts with the N.C. Department ofHealth and
Human Services have been working with the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
review all available health data and develop guidance on potential health risks associated with GenX.
The data and health assessments have been publicizedonthe etato`uweb page devoted o/GonX,
The Cooper administration and others the chemicals' to oV/p
discharging (}ouXinto the Cape Fear. Aouresult, initial water tests being conducted hvDE0show that
levels of GenX in the water supply are down dramatically.
Additional action from the EPA ionecessary inorder for North Carolina &xbeable torequire
Chemours tolimit ovend the discharge ofGenXorany currently unregulated chemical. OnJune 17`tho
governor sent aletter toEPA Administrator E.Scott Pruitt requesting that the EPA move more quicklyVz
finalize its health assessment and set a maximum contaminant level for the unregulated GenX. Gov.
Cooper is also pushing the EPA to revisit its existing consent order with Chemours to apply to all releases
ofGon}C.
In addition, the governor asked in the letter for the EPA touse its autllonitv under afederal law that
regulated the introduction of new chemicals, the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act, to examine
wastewater emissions more carefully and require multiple health studies for new chemicals.
Where are water quality samples being collected?
Df%)staff are collecting samples o1|4locations near Fayetteville, where the plant iolocated, and
Wilmington. Sbegan the week ofJune |0and will continue inthe same locations for u1least six
weeks. D2(lstaff bnthe Fayetteville Regional OfDcohomobecnco||ewater samples at the Chemours
plant site, the Bladen Bluff intake and their treated water, a water supply well in Bladen County and the
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Hoffer Water Treatment Plant upstream of Chemours' facility. The Hoffer site was added the week of
July 3.
DEQ staff in the Wilmington Regional Office have sampled at the intake site of the Lower Cape Fear
Water and Sewer Authority's intake, the International Paper intake, the International Paper finished water,
the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's finished water, the Pender County public utility's finished water,
the Brunswick County public utility's finished water, the Cape Fear Public Utility's Aquifer Storage and
Recovery Well, and the Wrightsville Beach water supply well.
Sampling is continuing until at least the end of July
DEQ prompted Chemours, the chemical's manufacturer, to stop discharging GenX into the Cape
Fear River. Can the state take additional actions against Chemours or close the facility?
DEQ needs the EPA to set limits in order for North Carolina to be able to permanently require Chemours
to limit or end the discharge of GenX.
So on July 17, Governor Cooper urged EPA to revisit its existing consent order with Chemours so the
order would apply to all releases of GenX. The governor also urged EPA to move more quickly to finalize
its health assessment and set a maximum contaminant level for the unregulated chemical.
This health information would be necessary in order for the state to set limits in a permit for how much
GenX the company can discharge. GenX is not regulated.
Is GenX regulated under the wastewater permit issued to Chemours?
Currently, there are no state or federal criteria for the regulation of the GenX compound in wastewater.
Will the state regulate GenX in Chemours' next wastewater permit?
The permit currently is up for renewal. DEQ will take a close look at all topics relevant to regulation and
will not renew the permit while the investigation is underway.
Why are officials waiting three days between sampling in Fayetteville and Wilmington?
It takes an estimated three days for water to flow the 70 miles down the Cape Fear River from the
Chemours plant in Fayetteville to the river intakes near Wilmington, Sampling similar water parcels in the
two areas will provide a more consistent and representative analysis.
Where will the samples be analyzed?
Water samples are being analyzed by two independent laboratories, a certified facility in Colorado, and an
EPA laboratory in the Research Triangle Park near Raleigh. The specialized analysis is extremely
complex. There are only two laboratories in the U.S. capable of processing these water samples.
When do you expect to have the results?
DEQ estimates that results should be available within a month from when the samples are received at the
laboratories.
Why are you taking multiple rounds of water quality samples?
Taking multiple samples will give the most accurate data. This will help us to better understand how
much GenX is currently in the river and provide more current data to help evaluate potential health
impacts.
Who will pay for the sampling and testing?
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Chemours agreed to pay for the water collection and testing at the Colorado lab. EPA will cover the cost
of the lab analyses to be completed at the lab in the Research Triangle Park.
How can GenX affect my health?
Because GenX is an unregulated chemical, limited health information is available for GenX at this time.
Early in the response, DHHS used existing, limited research studies and work that was done by the
European Chemical Agency to provide a preliminary health risk assessment. This preliminary analysis
concluded that the risk of adverse health effects from GenX was low at the levels found in the Cape Fear
River during 2013 and 2014.
It is important to note that this preliminary assessment was based on available data and is likely to change
as new information becomes available. DHHS continues to review all available health data and is working
with the EPA and CDC and academic researchers to better understand the potential risks associated with
GenX.
Data from the new water samples will confirm the current level of GenX in the Cape Fear River. DEQ
will provide this environmental data to DHHS so it can be used to conduct further analysis of drinking
water safety.
If you are concerned about your health, please speak with your medical provider or contact your local
health department.
Is my water safe to drink?
Researchers from N.C. State University detected an average level of GenX of 631 ng/L in the Cape Fear
River in 2013 and 2014. Based on a preliminary health risk assessment, DHHS determined that the risk of
adverse health effects from GenX was low at these levels. This preliminary determination is based on the
data that are currently available and is subject to change as new information becomes available. DHHS
continues to review all available data and work with partner agencies to better understand and
communicate potential health risks associated with GenX.
Data from new water samples will define how much GenX is in the Cape Fear River at the time of
sampling. DEQ will provide this environmental data to DHHS so that it can be used to conduct further
analysis of the drinking water safety. The EPA is currently updating its risk assessment on GenX.
Are there home water filtration systems that can remove GenX?
At this time, there is not enough information to support the use of any specific filtration method (e.g.
reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, etc.) to remove GenX from water. Research into filtration
methods is ongoing and new information will be shared as it becomes available.
Has the federal government made health recommendations for GenX?
EPA has published health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS, which are in the same family of
chemicals as GenX. However, the health risks of GenX could be different due to differences in chemical
structure that can affect how the chemical interacts with the body.
Is it safe to eat fish from the Cape Fear River?
There are no fish advisories in place related to GenX. A list of statewide and location -specific fish
advisories related to other contaminants is available at:
http://epi.ptiblichealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advison*es.html.
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DoXneed tobeconcerned about my groundvvater7
woare not aware ofimpacts to groundwater.Aopart ofits investigation, DG0ieio several
groundwater public water supply sources for the presence ofGmX. Those water supply wells are in
Wrightsville Beach, the Cape Fear Public Utility's Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well and in Bladen
How are drinking water standards developed?
North Carolina has adopted federal standards for drinking water. EPA has conducted three rounds of
testing for delJun�uu|��dCon1on�inani��oudohn�Bb�lo,nbiohlookeu1ohonuicu]eindhnk�ing water
across the nation. Data from water monitoring are helpful indeveloping new rules oathe number of
occurrences and health data indicate regulations are warranted. EPA uses several factors to develop rules,
includingefficiency, cost and health benefits ofremoving the rvaoke from odrinking water system.
GenXhas been described uwuo°mm '�mu�m�md°nrmmpmm�Wh��w�tbutm�m7
Under the dContaminant �� Rule, the EPA gathers data about select unregulated
contaminants todetermine how often they appear in drinking water and uiwhat levels. The EPA uses that
data along with relevant health effect studies to determine if regulation is necessary, and if so, at what
levels. For information oothe Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, please visit:
hnno:/hwnw.opa.gov/dvvuomo1oom-abou1-unrcgu|ated-contaminanL*nonitodnD+n|e.
How did we learn that GeuX isiothe Cape Fear River?
Dr. 0odufKnomnc,professor ofCivil, Construction and Environmental Engineeringat NC 8tu10
University, is one of the lead authors of a study that identified the presence of GenX in the Cape Fear
River. The November 2016 report described samples collected in 2013 and 2014. It was produced in
conjunction with EPA and reflects the importance of emerging technologies being used to detect
unregulated containinants. It is not unusual for unregulated contaminants to come to light as technology
gets better u1detecting them.
Are there home water filtration systems that can remove GenX?
Atthis time, there ianot enough information Losupport the use ofany specific filtration method (e.g.
reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, etc.) to remove{}cn}� from water. Research into Mbuation
methods is on -going and new information will be shared as it becomes available.
What about other related chemicals that might be inthe water?
The same publication hvDr. Qnomnoalso included results for several other chemicals inthe same
fluorinated family of compounds. Concentrations of older "legacy" chemicals (PFOA and PFOS) did not
exceed the EPA Health Advisory level of 70 ng/L in the lower section of the river near Wilmington. For
some newer or "emerging" chemicals, specific levels could not be measured due to limitations of current
laboratory testing. Limited inforniation is available about the potential health effects ofthese newer
emerging chemicals. DHHS is reviewing all available health data to better understand and communicate
possible health risks for Go undother related chemicals.
Is0EQtesting for these other chemicals?
DG0iotesting for the other unregulatedchemicals that Dr. Knunnoidentified inhis November 20l6
report. We have met with Dr. to discuss his r000unch and are working with the EPA`o lab in
Research Tniangle Park to replicate his team's analysis using current water samples.
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