The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced the Gelman Sciences Inc. site in Ann Arbor would be added to the Superfund National Priorities List.
Between 1963 and 1986 Gelman Sciences manufactured medical filters, discharging wastewater containing 1,4 dioxane, an industrial solvent, into surrounding ponds, creating a groundwater plume. The plume is approximately three miles long and one mile wide, and has migrated into aquifers that supply drinking water.
“With this Superfund designation, EPA will use its statutory authorities to hold the company responsible for near- and long-term actions to more expeditiously address possible risks to human health and the environment,” EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel said in a statement.
Dioxane carries several health risks including liver and kidney damage and cancer. According to the EPA, Gelman has an agreement with the state requiring them to pump and treat contaminated groundwater to lower the concentration of dioxane within the plume, prevent groundwater use in the contaminated area and well use within the plume and to connect properties affected to the municipal water system…