Unveiling the Gelman Plume: Essential Insights on Health Risks and Effects

The Gelman plume of 1,4-dioxane has been a concern in Ann Arbor for over 40 years. But there are still many questions about its impact on local residents who might have consumed contaminated water before the area switched to city water.

Dioxane is notorious for being difficult to break down. Experts refer to it as a "forever chemical," much like PFAS. Officials from the state and county assert that no one is currently exposed to contamination through drinking water. However, many advocates are urging the government to take stronger actions.

If you visit the downtown Ann Arbor District Library, you’ll find a wealth of information about the Gelman plume. This long-standing environmental issue has generated a mountain of reports and documents. Gelman Sciences, LLC used approximately 850,000 pounds of dioxane from 1966 to 1986 and disposed of wastewater that contaminated groundwater. This contamination spread to nearby drinking wells.

Despite these alarming facts, there’s still little understanding of how the contaminated water has affected health in the area. Rita Loch-Caruso, a professor emeritus of toxicology at the University of Michigan, emphasizes the need for long-term health monitoring of those exposed. She argues, “We don’t know enough about dioxane and its toxicity.”

Loch-Caruso is part of the Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane, established in 2006 to push for more proactive measures. She hopes an epidemiological study could shed light on the health risks dioxane poses to those who lived near the plume.

While the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) insists that monitoring is ongoing and that no one is exposed now, many community members remain skeptical. They demand a deeper examination of potential future threats.

There’s growing concern about how dioxane enters water sources across the U.S. Currently, dozens of drinking water sources are already tainted with this chemical. The Yale Superfund Research Center is focusing on 1,4-dioxane, recognizing it as an emerging contaminant whose long-term health effects are still unclear.

Dioxane is used in manufacturing various products, including detergents and plastics. Once it contaminates water, it tends to stick around. Loch-Caruso highlights that it mixes readily with water, making it almost impossible to contain. Even if the state says they are monitoring the situation, residents worry that it isn’t enough.

The EPA classifies dioxane as a probable carcinogen, but most studies have focused on animal health, leaving a gap in research on human exposure. This raises concerns, especially as Michigan’s acceptable levels for dioxane in drinking water (7.2 ppb) differ substantially from the EPA’s advice (0.35 ppb to 3.5 ppb).

Health experts agree that stricter regulations are necessary. Loch-Caruso argues that the state’s threshold is too lenient and does not fully account for the risks to human health. Additionally, there’s uncertainty around how dioxane exposure might happen outside of drinking water, such as through vapor in homes where contaminated groundwater may seep.

In some parts of Ann Arbor, the water table is alarmingly close to the surface. Potentially contaminated groundwater can seep into basements and evaporate, exposing residents to dioxane even if they don’t directly consume tainted water. Loch-Caruso insists a more proactive approach is essential, warning, “It’s coming.”

To make matters more complex, funding for research has been uncertain, impacting crucial studies needed to assess the risks. The Yale Superfund Research Center is working on multiple sites—including the Gelman plume—as part of its mission to combat environmental hazards.

While some residents have sought help testing their basements, only a handful submitted samples, with all reporting non-detectable levels. Yet, there’s still growing awareness of past contamination. Environmental advocates continue to call for a comprehensive study linking the health of residents to historical exposures from the plume.

Amid these challenges, Loch-Caruso believes that a thorough epidemiological study could provide vital insights into the long-term effects of dioxane exposure. Until more data is gathered, the community remains on high alert, advocating for greater government action as the plume continues to pose a long-term threat.

For more insights into groundwater and dioxane contamination, visit the EPA’s Superfund page for resources and historical context.

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