1,4-Dioxane
United Water Camden
1,4-Dioxane is a solvent classified by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen. It contaminates groundwater in many states due to industrial wastewater discharges, plastic manufacturing runoff and landfill runoff. Read More.
Animal studies show that 1,4-dioxane can target the liver, kidneys and respiratory system, and that prenatal exposure can harm the developing fetus. The State of California has set a Public Heatlh Goal of no more than 1 part per billion of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. The state of Massachusetts sets a legal limit of 0.3 ppb, and New Hampshire's limit is 3 parts per billion. There is no national drinking water standard for this contaminant.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2015 | 2.70 ppb | 2 | 2 | 2.50 ppb - 2.90 ppb |
| 2016 | 2.07 ppb | 8 | 7 | ND - 15.0 ppb |
| 2017 | 4.44 ppb | 6 | 6 | 0.1000 ppb - 21.0 ppb |
| 2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.35 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.35 ppb for 1,4-dioxane was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-03-11 | 201503130146AM | 2.50 ppb |
| 2015-09-08 | 201509090275AM | 2.90 ppb |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533037 | 0.120 ppb |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533035 | 0.610 ppb |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533033 | 0.220 ppb |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533032 | 0.370 ppb |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533034 | 15.0 ppb |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533036 | ND |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533038 | 0.130 ppb |
| 2016-08-24 | 3533039 | 0.110 ppb |
| 2017-04-20 | 3680553 | 3.50 ppb |
| 2017-04-20 | 3680561 | 0.1000 ppb |
| 2017-04-20 | 3680563 | 0.180 ppb |
| 2017-04-20 | 3680559 | 1.40 ppb |
| 2017-04-20 | 3680555 | 0.460 ppb |
| 2017-04-20 | 3680557 | 21.0 ppb |