This special edition News to Us for June compiles a series of articles by Michigan Public’s Elinor Epperson on the Gelman plume, an area of groundwater contaminated by 1,4-dioxane within the Huron River’s Honey Creek. Epperson’s coverage dives into the history, politics, and public health consequences of the plume for residents of Scio Township and west Ann Arbor.
“It cost us dearly.” The legacy of Ann Arbor’s Gelman plume
Since it was discovered in in 1980s, the Gelman plume has taken a financial, mental, and emotional toll on residents who previously relied on contaminated wells for drinking, bathing, and cooking. This piece by Elinor Epperson spotlights the experiences of residents and advocates who have spent decades fighting for answers and remediation from Gelman Sciences, the medical filter manufacturer responsible for the 1,4-dioxane pollution.
Gelman site’s future is unclear as Trump proposes EPA cuts
For years, local officials and advocates have pushed for more robust cleanup of the Gelman plume by state and federal officials. As of late, there was hope that the Environmental Protection Agency would designate the Gelman plume as a federal Superfund site, which would unlock additional resources to support the decades-long cleanup process. However, new proposed budget cuts to the EPA by the Trump Administration have local advocates concerned that the reduced funding will continue to stall remediation efforts. This article outlines the possible paths forward in light of political uncertainty.
The Gelman plume: Questions about health effects
Despite being discovered over 30 years ago, questions remain about the health impacts of 1,4-dioxane, a man-made chemical used in plastic and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Many residents of Scio Township west of Ann Arbor drank well water contaminated by dioxane for years prior to the discovery of the plume. Existing studies on the impacts of dioxane on human health are limited and do not provide enough evidence to make sound conclusions, leaving Scio Township residents wondering what the long-term health impacts may be.
🔉Podcast: The Gelman plume’s long legacy of contamination🔉
This episode from Michigan Public’s Stateside podcast provides an overview of the Gelman plume, including the history of how it originated and what is being done to remediate it. For those who are looking for a primer on the issue and are not sure where to dive in, this is a great place to start.
How to learn more about the Gelman plume without getting overwhelmed
This article shares some of the best resources for learning about and answering questions related to the Gelman plume. Find FAQs, reports, and other resources from local, county, and state agencies to help you learn more about 1,4-dioxane testing data, parcel-level groundwater contamination, and the over 50-year history of the plume.
HRWC’s current focus for the Gelman site remains on securing the most effective and timely cleanup possible to protect residents and the ecosystem. We advocate for stronger polluter pay laws that hold polluters accountable and pollution thresholds that accurately reflect scientific understanding.