The Status and Regulatory Climate of 1,4 dioxane as a Contaminant of Emerging Concern, and Treatment Options

Introduction:

Cited by the U.S. EPA as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans, ”1 1,4-dioxane has been used in industrial and commercial applications for over a century, including as a stabilizer in chlorinated solvents, paint strippers, greases and waxes, and as a purifying agent in pharmaceutical production. 1,4-dioxane is difficult to detect in the environment, biodegrades very slowly in water and soil, and moves quickly into and via groundwater, explaining why it has been found in drinking water supplies, groundwater and surface water throughout the world.

Despite its long history, 1,4-dioxane’s effects are still being evaluated. This article investigates the status of 1,4-dioxane as an emerging contaminant in drinking water systems and surface water, the federal and state regulatory climate, and the availability and efficacy of treatment options.

Summary Bullet Points:

• 1,4-dioxane is a synthetic chemical, historically used as a stabilizer for industrial solvents, predominantly 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), from the 1950s through the 1990s.
• Highly soluble in water and a likely carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane has migrated from hazardous waste sites and landfills and infiltrated drinking water supplies and surface water.

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Author: Ann Schnitz, Ph.D., Principal Toxicologist, AlterEcho, and Mark McDaniel, CPAC, Expert Chemist, AlterEcho