Michigan's Gelman Site 1,4-dioxane groundwater contamination: Still spreading decades after detection

Disposal practices of industrial wastewater by Gelman Sciences led to high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane in groundwater in Michigan, USA. Since discovery of off-site pollution in 1984, the contaminated groundwater prompted closure of over 124 private wells, closure of one municipal well, and prohibition of most groundwater uses in a large section of the city of Ann Arbor. Recent 1,4-dioxane detections in shallow groundwater in Ann Arbor and in township residential wells pose new exposure threats. Patterns of increased 1,4-dioxane well concentrations raise concerns for threats to Ann Arbor's municipal water intake in the Huron River. Health effects surveillance from 1,4-dioxane exposure is lacking. The community continues to seek solutions in the decades-long fight to clean up this contamination. [Display omitted] •Industrial wastewater contaminated groundwater with 1,4-dioxane in Michigan, USA.•The contamination continues to expand since discovery in 1984 despite remediation.•The contamination closed private wells and a municipal well.•The contamination is nearing the ground surface in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan.•There is no study of human exposure and health in the impacted population.