Press Releases
Dingell Questions Dioxane Cleanup Efforts Following Increased Testing Levels in Ann Arbor
Dearborn, MI,
October 25, 2016
U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy questioning current efforts to remediate the Gelman dioxane plume in Ann Arbor. The letter comes after recent developments have increased the level of concern in the community, including the discovery of 1,4 dioxane in shallow groundwater on the west side of the city for the first time. “The recent reports of elevated dioxane levels near a neighborhood are deeply troubling and raise questions about the adequacy of existing remediation efforts, which Pall Life Sciences is required to do,” said Dingell. “This is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed immediately and it is my hope that this letter will help inform all stakeholders as we move forward toward a solution that will ensure this contamination is properly cleaned up.” The dioxane plume has been spreading through the groundwater in Ann Arbor for decades after an irresponsible business practice by Gelman Sciences, now owned by Pall Life Sciences, allowed the toxic chemical into the ground. Earlier this year, Dingell sent a letter to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Director Keith Creagh urging the state to finalize stricter standards to help accelerate cleanup of the dioxane plume. That letter can be read here. The letter to EPA Administrator McCarthy can be read here and below. October 25, 2016 The Honorable Gina McCarthy Dear Administrator McCarthy: This letter is regarding the contamination of groundwater in Ann Arbor, Michigan with 1,4-dioxane. The contamination is the result of irresponsible business practices by Gelman Sciences, now owned by Pall Life Sciences, which incorporated the chemical in its manufacturing of medical filters in Scio Township, Michigan. Between 1966 and 1986, wastewater containing 1,4-dioxane was sprayed on lawns and stored in unlined lagoons that has seeped through soil and rock layers into the groundwater and begun to spread in an ever-growing plume. It is my understanding that EPA has classified 1,4-dioxane as “likely to be carcinogenic in humans by all routes of exposure.” Recent developments have increased the level of concern in the community. First, the 1,4-dioxane plume has greatly expanded over the last 20 years, now encompassing an area over three square miles. It is troubling that the plume continues to grow even as remediation efforts are ongoing. Second, the number of monitoring wells that have had their highest reading ever has increased as well. Finally, 1,4-dioxane was recently detected in shallow groundwater on the west side of the city for the first time. This round of testing also detected chloroform and trichloroethane in groundwater. These developments are deeply troubling and raise questions about the adequacy of existing remediation efforts, which Pall Life Sciences is required to do by a court approved consent agreement. Therefore, I respectfully request answers to the following questions: 1. Current remediation efforts are being conducted by Pall Life Sciences and overseen by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) pursuant to a consent decree. What role does EPA have in ensuring that MDEQ and Pall are living up to their obligations and meeting the terms of the consent decree? Thank you for your prompt attention to these questions. Sincerely,
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