Letter to Acting Administrator McCabe - Speed Up Health Risk Assessment of 1,4-dioxane & Deliver Answers to Anxious Public

Letter

Dear Acting Administrator McCabe:

Following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 5-year review of unregulated contaminants in drinking water supplies on Long island, which revealed a prevalence of 1,4-dioxane that far exceed the national average in drinking water supplies, we write to urge the EPA to accelerate the risk assessment for the chemical under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and, if warranted, to take rapid steps to establish a national standard or Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).

As you know, exposure to 1,4-dioxane, which EPA classifies as likely to be carcinogenic by all routes of exposure, can potentially cause long-term adverse health effects, including liver and kidney damage, as well as short-term side effects, including drowsiness and irritation of the eyes and nose. It is troubling that currently no national standard exists regulating levels of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic substance. State officials and water districts are struggling to coordinate the best course of action and are in need of more data, analysis and direction from the EPA. Concerned residents and municipalities have reached out for guidance on how to mitigate the effects of this spreading contaminant. Among other affected communities, a Hicksville well showed 1,4-dioxane occurring at 33 parts per billion, a level higher than almost any other part of the country. With the EPA's technical expertise with contaminants, we request that you immediately provide technical support to help impacted water districts investigate the full scope of the problem and assist with any necessary remediation as quickly as possible.

Again, we urge you to act quickly to complete the TSCA risk assessment for 1,4-dioxane and provide assistance to Long Island communities in addressing this contaminant.

Source