CARY, N.C. -- Two scientists with Duke University say they have found chemical compounds in the same family as GenX in Jordan Lake and the Town of Cary’s drinking water.

Though the chemical compounds were in the same family as GenX, it is important to note that no GenX was found in any of the samples, and the sample size was small.

In Cary, the levels were below the health advisory of 70 parts per trillion, as set by the EPA.

The potential health effects to exposure, both short-term and long-term are not yet known, but Duke researchers say, because "short-chain compounds don’t bioaccumulate," they could be less harmful than their longer-chain cousins. 

In a release from the Town of Cary, officials maintain that drinking water remains safe.