xv EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Chemours Agrees to EPA Order to Conduct PFAS Sampling near Washington Works Chemours Washington Works Washington, West Virginia December 2023 For more information Please contact any of the following team members with questions: For questions about the Order Jennifer Wilson Environmental Engineer EPA HQ 202-565-0212 wilson.jennifera@epa.gov For West Virginia Region 3 Public Information Center 215-814-5000 For Ohio Rachel Linduska Public Affairs EPA Region 5 312-965-8901 linduska.rachel@epa.gov For media/press press@Spa.gov Webpage For more information on PFAS and what EPA is doing to address it, visit EPA's PFAS webpage at: https://www.epa.gov/pfas The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Chemours have agreed to an Administrative Order on Consent. Under this Order, Chemours has agreed to take samples and analyze soil, surface water, sediment, groundwater and certain waste streams generated by their Washington Works facility to collect information on known and potential contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in and around the facility. Why is EPA taking action now? This order is part of EPA's FY2024-2027 National Enforcement Compliance Initiative on Addressing Exposure to PFAS. In part, the PFAS initiative is focused on using EPA's enforcement tools to identify past and ongoing releases of PFAS into the environment. Next Steps Chemours will update the existing Conceptual Site Model and submit it for EPA approval within 75 days. After EPA approves the updated Conceptual Site Model, Chemours will submit a sampling and analysis plan within 90 days. Sampling will occur after EPA approves the plan and may occur in phases, with the results of each phase determining where the next sampling will occur. Chemours Washington Works Facility, West Virginia ------- PFAS EXPLAINED What are PFAS? PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS—some are more widely used and studied than others. Perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, are two of the most widely used and studied, and have been replaced with other PFAS in recent years. For more information, please visit EPA's PFAS website at www.epa.gov/pfas PFAS Cycle PFAS TREATED MATERIAL What EPA Has Learned About PFAS So Far o PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals which usually break down very slowly over time. o Because of their widespread use and persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals and are present at low levels in a variety of food products. o Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. PFAS Can Be Found in Many Places There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different industrial, commercial, and household products, including: o Drinking water - public drinking water systems and private drinking water wells; o Soil and water at or near waste sites; o At landfills, disposal sites, and hazardous waste sites such as those that fall under the federal Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) programs; o Fire extinguishing foam - in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) used to extinguish liquid-based fires, such foams are used in various emergency responses; o Manufacturing or chemical production facilities that produce or use PFAS - such as chrome plating, electronics, textile, and paper manufacturers; How PFAS enters the environment Source: Michigan Department of Great Lakes, Environment, and Energy' o Food - for example in fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS, and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS; o Food packaging - in grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers; o Household products - in stain and water-repellent used on carpets, upholstery, clothing, and other fabrics; cleaning products; non-stick cookware; paints, varnishes, and sealants; o Personal care products - in certain shampoos, dental floss, and cosmetics; and o Biosolids - for example in treated wastewater that is used on agricultural lands. ------- |