DEQ-CFW_00083061

From: Kritzer, Jamie [/D=[XCHANG[LAB5/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=C[E9]C49D01445A]B541B8327DCDCD4O-JBKR|TZ[R]
Sent: 8/30/I0I71I56:25PM
To: Munger, Bridget [/h=ExchangeLabs/ou=ExzhanXeAdministrative Group
(FYD|8OHFZ33PDO)/cn=Redpient$cn=c54e1f65Ocea49958a5aba689cIO4f61-bcmunXer]
Subject: draft
Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Jamie Kritzer
DEQ urges Chemouoprovide complete inventory ofwaste stream
RALEIGH — As part of its ongoing investigation, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality this week urged Chemours
to stop discharging two newly identified unregulated compounds into the Cape Fear River and again called on the
company to provide the state with a complete inventory of all chemicals included in its waste stream.
DBQmade those requests in two letters issued Tuesday. One letter asked [hemourstostop the release ofNafion
byproducts 1 and 2, two chemicals that the Environmental Protection Agency identified at elevated levels in the
company's waste stream. At DEQ`s request, the EPA is analyzing water samples from the Cape Fear River for GenX and
other pe/f|uorinatedcompounds.
The two Nafion byproducts were detected by specialists with the EPA's lab in Research Triangle Park using new
technology and methodology. The EPA shared preliminary results of its analysis with DEQ and the N.C. Department of
Health and Human Services
until the state can review available information related to the potential health effectsofthe two chemicals. |nasecond
letter, DE{Ialso amplified its previous request that Chemouo provide the state agency with a complete inventory,
sampling data and test results for all chemicals included inthe company's waste stream at the Fayetteville plant.
DEQ and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services have directed all available resources to investigate the
presence ofGenXinthe Cape Fear River since June 19.
DEQ`s letter requests that [hemuuo stop the release of Nafion byproducts 1 and l two chemicals that were identified
at elevated levels in the company's waste stream. That analysis came about thanks to a new technology and
methodology conducted by specialists with the Environmental Protection Agency's lab in Research Triangle Park.
OEQ-CFVV_00083061

DEQ also urged Chemours to provide the state agency with a complete inventory, sampling data and testresults for all
other chemicals included inthe company's waste stream atthe Fayetteville p|ant.DE[lvviUrevievvaUoftheinformadon
the state agency has requested as it considers Chemours' application for a new wastewater discharge permit.
"Our No. 1 priority is to protect the state's citizens," said Michael Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of
Environmenta|Oua|ity."VVeve|earnedfnomtheEPAthatthetxvoNafionbyproductshavenemainede|evatedanddon't
show signs of dropping. Until we know more about the health impacts from the Nafion l and Z byproducts, we are
asking the company to stop discharging these compounds immediately and provide the state with information about all
other unregulated chemicals in its waste stream."
The state's investigation helped prompt Chemours to stop discharging GenX into the river. Staff inDHH5used available
research to develop a health goal for GenX of 140 parts per trillion and concentrations of GenX have dropped well below
the health goal since the discharge was stopped in late June. But there is not enough health information available to
determine a health goal like there was for GenX, but state health officials say the water in the Wilmington area is still
safe to drink.
"QUOTE," said Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. "
DEQ learned of the two Nafion byproducts and three other non-GenX, perfluorinated chemicals after a meeting Monday
with the Environmental Protection Agency. Atthe state agency's request, officials with the EPA analyzed water samples
from the Cape Fear River for GenX and the other perfluorinated compounds. The EPA provided state officials with
analysis for the five non-GenX perfluorinated compounds over a six -week period starting June 19. The EPA discussed its
initial test results with DEQ and DHHS officials Monday and plans to produce results for more unregulated chemicals the
agency studied. Those results show samples for the five non-GenX compounds for raw water collected at the Chemours
wastewater outfall and finished drinking water the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's Sweeney plant in Wilmington.
-2-
TheEPA'sanalysisfounddhatNafionbyproductslandZhavenemainede|evatedandnotshow/nanyconsistenttnends
from weeks 1throuBh 6.The Nafion process is discussed in the company's wastewater discharge permit applications,
but
the permit does not specify the release to the company's waste stream of Nafion byproducts or the three other
perfluorinated chemicals. The three other perfluorinated chemicals analyzed by the EPA have dropped significantly
between weeks 1 and 6 of testing similar to the way concentrations of GenX fell after the company stopped discharging
GenX. State and federal officials say the three perfluorinated compounds probably dropped because they were captured
along with the 6enXwastewater when the GenXxvas diverted away from the river and into holding tanks for offsite
incineration.
As part ofits investigation, DE{lrequested that the EPA analyze water samples for the 12 unregulated chemical
compounds that the EPA and N.C. State University identified in their 2016 report. The Nafion byproducts were not
included in the report and not part of the state's request for analysis but the EPA studied them because it had identified
them in one of its earlier studies. The EPA informed state officials that it is continuing to work on a comprehensive
report that will include concentrations of other, non-GenX compounds at multiple sampling locations over a seven -week
period.

Jamie Kritzer
Co
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-8602
UL�I- �*,
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