Document XRo3R7NrVmX9xjMxJ5ej7j1Qx

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 8/2/2017 10:15:38 PM Vaughn Hagerty i x. 6 ] Press [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou="xchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] RE: Media inquiry regarding GenX and Chemours Hi Vaughn, Here's our updated statement. Please attribute to an agency spokesperson: EPA is committed to protecting public health and supporting states and public water systems as the appropriate steps to address the presence of GenX in drinking water are determined. EPA has initiated an investigation into Chemours's compliance with a 2009 order issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the production of GenX. This investigation will allow EPA to determine whether Chemours is in compliance with requirements of the order to control releases to the environment at the Fayetteville, N.C., facility. EPA is also reviewing the additional toxicity data submitted by the company, as required under the consent order, and updating the risk assessment using the additional toxicity data specific to GenX. At the request of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), scientists in EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) are conducting an independent laboratory analysis of six rounds of water samples being collected by NCDEQ at 13 locations in the Cape Fear River this summer. Information about their sampling procedures can be found on their website: https://deq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation. EPA scientists are analyzing wastewater, surface water, ground water, and treated drinking water samples to determine the presence and concentration of the chemicalGenX in the samples. EPA's analysis of the first three rounds of water samples is complete and on July 13 the results were shared with NCDEQ, who reviewed and released them. The analysis of this first batch of samples found that GenX was present in every sample. The range varied widely from 4 ng/L to 21,760 ng. On July 26, EPA shared the results of its analysis of the 4thand 5throunds of sampling with NCDEQ who reviewed and released the data. In this batch of samples, GenX concentrations ranged from below our limit of quantitation (5 samples) to 2,430 ng/L. In addition to GenX, EPA scientists are also analyzing the six rounds of Cape Fear River samples to determine the presence of perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid, perfluoro-3,5-dioxahexanoic acid, and perfluoro-3,5,7-trioxaoctanoic acid, which are related perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Manufactured chemical standards, which are essential for confirming chemical identity and calculating chemical concentrations in water samples, are not available for these three compounds. Therefore, EPA scientists will identify these PFAS based on careful measurements of their molecular weights and fragmentation patterns, while estimating their concentrations using closely-related compounds for calibration. Background Typically, EPA investigates potential TSCA noncompliance through a review of production and environmental controls records required by any rule or order and, as needed, an on-site inspection. EPA may also use information requests to inform our investigation. GenX is a replacement chemical forperfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has an EPA-established health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. There is no EPA health advisory level for Gen X. When EPA issued the consent order, the risk assessment for GenX was informed by available toxicity data for GenX and analogous substances such as PFOA (also known as C8). The consent order required the company to conduct additional toxicity testing on GenX. EPA has received the data from Chemoursand is using it to update its risk assessment. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00027432-00001 Chemours agreed to bear all costs for the water collection and testing. The samples are being sent to a private laboratory in Colorado, and the EPA Office of Research and Development laboratory in Research Triangle Park, NC for independent verification. The lab method being used in this analyses was developed by EPA/ORD scientists and has been used in EPA research and in analysis efforts requested by states. The finding of GenX in finished drinking water was first reported in a 2016 peer-reviewed journal article by EPA/ORD scientists titled "Legacy and Emerging Perfluoroalkyl Substances Are Important Drinking Water Contaminants in the Cape Fear River Watershed of North Carolina" published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Three more rounds of water samples are being collected from the Cape Fear River by NCDEQ. EPA will be analyzing these samples, and analysis results will be shared with NCDEQ in August. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA undertakes extensive evaluations of contaminants and uses the best available peer reviewed science to identify and regulate contaminants that present meaningful opportunities for health risk reduction. The agency is working closely with the states and public water systems to determine the appropriate next steps to ensure public health protection. Enesta Jones U.S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: 202.564.7873 i...........Ex 6.......... 1 L ________________________________________________________ ! "The root of all joy is gratefulness." From: Vaughn Hagerty i Ex~6 j Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2017 11:56 AM To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Cc: Press <Press@epa.gov> Subject: Re: Media inquiry regarding GenX and Chemours Yes. I'd like to get an answer by the end of today, if possible. More importantly, though, I'd like to get as much substance as possible, even if that means waiting until tomorrow. Regards, Vaughn Hagerty On Wed, Aug 2, 2017 at 11:50 AM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Vaughn, Are you working on a deadline? Enesta Jones Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00027432-00002 U.S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: 202.564.7873 x. 6 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." From: Vaughn Hagerty j Ex. 6 Sent: Wednesday, Auguf027"2017'l3T47"AM" To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta(5)epa.gov>: Press <Press(5)epa.gov> Subject: Media inquiry regarding GenX and Chemours Hi, Enesta. Can you provide an update on EPA's investigation into GenX and Chemours at the Fayetteville Works in North Carolina? Regards, Vaughn Hagerty Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00027432-00003