Dingell: State Emergency Dioxane Standards Good First Step, but More Action Needed

DEARBORN, MI – U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement after the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued emergency rules to establish 1,4-dioxane standards across the state. Earlier this year Dingell sent a letter to MDEQ Director Keith Creagh urging the state to finalize stricter standards to help accelerate cleanup of the dioxane plume that has been spreading through Ann Arbor’s groundwater for decades. 

“The state made the right call to take swift, emergency action to ensure Michigan residents are protected following the discovery of elevated dioxane levels in shallow groundwater, particularly given the risk of vapor intrusion into people’s homes. This is a necessary first step to accelerate cleanup efforts of the ever-growing dioxane plume, but more must be done to ensure this contamination is properly remediated. Now that this improved standard is in place, local stakeholders must become parties to the consent decree so they can have a seat at the table when decisions are being made about how to move forward. The community deserves confidence in knowing that every effort is being made to protect public health and to hold those responsible accountable for cleaning up this mess. I will continue to work with EPA, MDEQ and all parties involved to ensure that public health is protected.” 

This week Dingell sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy questioning current efforts to remediate the dioxane plume. That letter can be read here.