Michigan DEQ proposes strengthening cleanup standards for 1,4-Dioxane

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) proposed significantly strengthening the drinking water cleanup standard for 1,4-Dioxane from 85 parts per billion (ppb) to 7.2ppb, which would impact Ann Arbor and the Pall-Gelman Contaminant plume cleanup effort.

“The DEQ’s first priority is to protect public health,” DEQ Director Keith Creagh said. “This revised standard strengthens those protections for all Michiganders. The DEQ is committed to open communications and transparency of our actions in affected communities. We will work with local stakeholders to ensure residents are informed and supported. The Ann Arbor community and its leaders have been great partners in addressing this issue, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on addressing the Pall-Gelman plume.”

The DEQ’s proposed update to the 1,4-Dioxane standard is part of Michigan’s efforts to update the criteria for each of the 308 hazardous substances in the state’s cleanup standards.

“We are in the process of finalizing the update for the cleanup standards for all hazardous substances and their exposure routes and will be releasing all of the proposed standards in April,” DEQ Remediation and Redevelopment Chief Bob Wagner said. “Review of the proposed rules will involve the Legislature as well as provide opportunity for public comment. We plan to finalize the rules as soon as possible with appropriate reviews.”