“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a report on health effects of PFOS and PFOA, part of a group of compounds including GenX known as PFAS, that includes proposals for revised minimum risk levels for PFOS and PFOA and new minimum risk levels for PFHxS and PFNA.

In June 2017, Brunswick County Public Utilities and county officials learned GenX and other PFAS compounds were found in the Cape Fear River, the source of the county’s drinking water.

The Chemours Co. manufactures GenX for use in making Teflon and other products under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit with the Environmental Protection Agency managed by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality…

North Carolina Health and Human Services established the health goal for exposure to GenX in drinking water at 140 parts per trillion.

Brunswick County GenX results from water samples taken May 17 reported GenX levels of 12.1 ppt in raw water entering the Northwest Water Treatment Plant. The finished water GenX level was 11.8 ppt.

Samples taken May 10 showed raw water levels of 9.56 ppt and NWTP finished water at 8.83 ppt.

The DHHS report suggests a revised number of 11 ppt for PFOAs.

Brunswick County’s May 17 test results for PFOA showed levels of 12.3 ppt in raw water entering the NWTP. The finished water PFOA level was 11.8 ppt.

Samples taken May 10 showed raw water PFOA levels of 14.4 ppt and NWTP finished water at 10.8 ppt.

The DHHS suggests a revised number of 7 ppt for PFOS.

Brunswick County’s most recent PFOS test results showed levels of 14.6 ppt in raw water entering the NWTP. The finished water PFOS level was 14.4 ppt.

PFOS samples taken May 10 showed raw water levels of 15.7 ppt and NWTP finished water at 13 ppt.

DHHS suggests a revised number of 74 ppt for PFHxS.

Brunswick County PFHxS levels on May 17 were 4.98 ppt in the NWTP raw water. The finished water PFHxS level was 4.81 ppt.

Samples taken May 10 showed raw water levels of PFHxS at 5.13 ppt and NWTP finished water at 4.16 ppt.

The DHHS suggested a revised number of 11 ppt for PFNA.

Brunswick County’s PFNA levels were 2.34 ppt in the NWTP raw water. The PFNA finished water level was 2.29 ppt.

Samples taken May 10 showed raw water levels of 2.39 ppt and NWTP finished water at 1.93 ppt.

County spokeswoman Amanda Hutcheson said staff members are working with toxicology and health care professionals at the N.C. Department Health and Human Services and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality to better understand the study results.”

Read the full article by Brian Slattery