DEQ-CFW_00082677

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/\.The same 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 actions has the state taken tnaddress GeuXand other emerging onotambmante?
At Governor Cooper's direction, DE0and DHHSbave deployed all available resources to address the
immediate concerns in the Lower Cape Fear region. 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 of drinking water for Bladen.
Brunswick, New Hanover and Pondorcounties.
On June l4,DB0and DHH8started investigating the presence ofGeoX` collecting water samples from
multiple sites in the Cape Fear River. State officials continue to collect water samples, with samples being
tested u1on EPA lab in North Carolina and uprivate |uh, Test America, in Colorado.
Here's a Map and dates of the sampling.
0oJune 2?,neconducted anon -site inspection toverify that [bonuour ioredirecting the wastewater
from the GenX process into temporary storage tanks for off -site shipment and incineration.
We released our first test results July |4with an updated preliminary health assessment forconcentrations
ofGenXiu drinking water. This updated health goal iaconservative and health protective for non -cancer
health effects inbottle-fed infants, pregnant women, lactating women, children and adults. The changes to
the health goal reflect additional health studies. Detailed information regarding the initial and revised
assessments are posted online at: http://bit.ly/2uutE4z.
Since the state was successful a1 getting Chomourmtostop the release nf(]on}<into the Cape Fear River,
vvohave seen oprecipitous docUnoinduooncontnationoofdhoohuxdoa|con/poundo1oUodoe.Toeto
continue inshow that levels ofGenXinfinished drinking water are below the mtato`ohealth goal.
Because of the lack of scientific data on the long-terni public health effectsofthese contaminants,
Governor has expanded the Secretaries' Science Advisory Board to help guide state officials on
ways tobetter protect public health and the environment from new or unregulatedchemicalo.
Atthe same time [)BUandDUHURSGovernor has db�o�dthe Sta�Bun�uof
��`investigate,--_,_
Investigation to assess -whether a criminal investigation is warranted. The SBI will work with its partners
at DEQ and EPA to determine if there is evidence of criminal violations of the permit or any state or
federal law or regulation.
There are numerous other facets V/our investigation. T}80and DfORSare working with the EPA and
CDC Loobtain more research that can housed toguidance for GenXand other

Governor Cooper's direction, DEQ will deny Chemours' permit request to release GenX and a new permit
will be developed. As part of its permit review, DEQ is investigating how and when Chemours disclosed
in its wastewater discharge permit the chemicals it was discharging to the Cape Fear River. DEQ will take
any appropriate enforcement actions related to its investigation.
During the investigation, DEQ and DHHS are exploring all regulatory options available. Recognizing
there are no national or state standards for GenX or the other chemicals identified in the 2016 report,
DEQ and DHHS are seeking involvement by the EPA on the health effects of these emerging
contaminants. This is a national issue and we're making the best use of state resources and working with
our federal partners. While the state has the authority to enact regulatory standards, we do not have
sufficient resources necessary to make these determinations for GenX or other unregulated compounds on
a consistent basis.
Where are water quality samples being collected?
DEQ staff are collecting samples at multiple locations near Fayetteville, where the plant is located, and
Wilmington. Sampling began the week of June 19 and will continue in the same locations for at least six
weeks. DEQ staff in the Fayetteville Regional Office have been collecting water samples at the Chemours
plant site, the Bladen Bluff intake and their treated water, a water supply well in Bladen County and the
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.
DEQ has added other locations downstream of the Chemours facility since the investigation began.
Water sampling and analysis will continue at finished drinking water sites for the foreseeable future.
Also, DEQ officials began the week of July 31 conducting groundwater sampling to look for any
concentrations of GenX in 16 monitoring wells at the Chemours facility in Fayetteville. The groundwater
results will help the state determine whether additional testing is warranted at private wells near the
facility
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?
The state is investigating to determine if Chemours violated the terms of its permits and the Clean Water
Act and will take any appropriate enforcement actions as necessary. In addition, Governor Cooper has
directed the State Bureau of Investigation's Diversion and Environmental Crimes Unit to assess whether a
criminal investigation is warranted. The SBI will work with its partners at the N.C. Department of
Environmental Quality and the EPA to determine if there is evidence of criminal violations of the permit
or the federal consent order in place.
Is GenX regulated under the wastewater permit issued to Chemours?
Currently, there are no state or federal criteria necessary to establish regulation of the wastewater
discharge of GenX.
DEQ-CFW-00082678

Will the state regulate GenX in Chemours' next wastewater permit?
Chemours has applied for a new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit (its wastewater
discharge permit), a federal permit program that controls water pollution and is managed by DEQ. On
July 24, Governor Cooper announced that DEQ will deny Chemours' request to release GenX and include
that language in the next permit. Acknowledging the potential for other possibly harmful compounds,
Chemours' draft permit will include a clause authorizing the state to quickly reopen the permit if needed
to regulate and enforce levels of any emerging compounds based on new scientific findings.
Why are officials waiting three days between sampling in Fayetteville and Wilmington?
It takes in estimated three days for water to flow the 70 miles down the Cape Fear River from the
Chemours plant M Fayetteville to the river intakes near Wilmington. Sampling slin 1 tar water parcels in the
two areas will provide a more consistent and representative analysis.
Where will the samples be analyzed?
Water samples from the first six weeks were analyzed by two independent laboratories, a certified facility
in Colorado, and an EPA laboratory in the Research Triangle Park near Raleigh. The state is contracting
with other laboratories to analyze additional samples.
Where can I find results of water sampling?
Results as well as information about GenX and sampling locations can be found online at the web page
DEQ developed for GenX at: https:Hdeq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation/genx-saiiipling-sites.
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 was currently in the river at the time of testing and provide more current data to help evaluate
potential health impacts.
Has the federal government published health recommendations for GenX?
EPA has not published health recommendations for GenX.
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.publichealtli.nc.gov/oee/fish/advison*es.html.
Do I need to be concerned about my groundwater?
Currently, we are not aware of impacts to groundwater. However, DEQ conducted testing of groundwater
public water supply sources to look for the presence of GenX.
Those water supply wells are in Wrightsville Beach, the Cape Fear Public Utility's Aquifer Storage and
Recovery Well and Bladen County. Concentrations at all the wells are below the state's public health goal
for GenX.
Also, DEQ officials began the week of July 31 conducting sampling of 16 groundwater wells that are at
the Chemours facility and are not used for public purposes. The results of these tests will help the state
determine whether additional testing is warranted at private drinking water wells near the facility.
How are drinking water standards developed?
Like other states nationwide, North Carolina has adopted and implements federal drinking water
standards established by the EPA. The standards take into account several factors, including the health
benefits, efficiency and cost of removing waste from a drinking water system.
DEQ-CFW-00082679

GenX has been described ummm°em' ��u�m�m�»ur�mpmm�Wh��o�tbu1m�m?
Under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, the EPA gathers data about select unregulated
contaminants Lodetermine how often they appear io drinking water and a1what levels. The EPA uses that
data along with relevant health effect studies to determine if regulation is necessary, and if so, at what
|ovo|o. For information on the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoning Rule, please visit:
hUoe:/hwnnw.epo.cam'about-unroDu|ated'oontan/inant*nonhndnR-nulo.
How did the state learn that GmnX isbuthe Cape Fear River?
The EPA and Detlef Knappe.
. professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at NC
State University, conducted a study that identified the presence of GenX in the Cape Fear River. 'Me
report was produced in conjunctionwith EPA and reflects the importance ofemerging technologies be
used todetect unregulatedomntmninmnts. Itionot unusual for unregulatedcontaminants to come to light
as technology gets better at detecting them.
What about other related chemicals that might be in the water?
The same report from Knappe included results for several other chemicals in the 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
What do you know about the health effects of these other chemicals?
Limited information is available about the potential health effects of these newer emerging chemicals.
What is the state doing twaddress the limited amount of information about GenX and the other
chemicals?
l)BOR3ioreviewing all available health data to better understand and communicate possible health risks
for the other related chemicals.
Also. Governor Roy Cooper on Aug. | expanded ustate science panel to help guidestate officials on
ways Lobetter protect public health and the environment from new or unregulated chemicals. /\new
charter for the panel was drawn upand signed bveecnetodeofhr[)HBSandT}80.Thopone[enovv
charter expands the scope of the Secretary's Science Advisory Board on Toxic Air Pollutants and changes
its name tothe 8ucrotoduo` Science Advisory Board.
Among its new duties, the panel will perform orrecommend reviews and evaluations ofcontaminants
released tothe environment, act uoconsultants onDGO`odeterminations to regulate releases of
contaminants; assist both agencies inidentifying contaminants nfemerging concern and help determine
whether the contaminants should bostudied nunnor�uooistdhoouoneturuoinproviding oxpooimoto
evaluate the human and environmental impacts of exposure to hazardous contaminants; and provide input
toD}8fSaothe agency establishes health goals for emerging contaminants.
0m0EQtesting for these other chemicals?
Df;3iatesting for the other unregulatedchemicals that Kuonneidentified inhis report. The agency has
met with Knappe &xdiscuss his research and are working with the EPA.`olab inResearchTriangle Park