1,4-Dioxane
Aqua Pennsylvania Main System
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0.185 ppb | 52 | 33 | ND - 1.50 ppb |
| 2014 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2017 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-13 | 201301150036AM | 0.1000 ppb |
| 2013-01-13 | 201301150026AM | 0.120 ppb |
| 2013-01-13 | 201301150028AM | ND |
| 2013-01-13 | 201301150030AM | 0.130 ppb |
| 2013-01-13 | 201301150034AM | 0.200 ppb |
| 2013-01-13 | 201301150032AM | 1.50 ppb |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170108AM | 0.310 ppb |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170061AM | 0.134 ppb |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170087AM | ND |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170082AM | ND |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170100AM | 0.147 ppb |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170104AM | 0.306 ppb |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170114AM | 0.182 ppb |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170046AM | ND |
| 2013-01-14 | 201301170097AM | ND |
| 2013-01-23 | 201301250317AM | 0.150 ppb |
| 2013-02-13 | 201302150348AM | ND |
| 2013-02-13 | 201302150346AM | 0.206 ppb |
| 2013-04-06 | 201304090039AM | 0.130 ppb |
| 2013-04-06 | 201304090041AM | 0.0930 ppb |
| 2013-04-06 | 201304090047AM | 1.50 ppb |
| 2013-04-06 | 201304090035AM | ND |
| 2013-04-06 | 201304090049AM | 0.0940 ppb |
| 2013-04-06 | 201304090043AM | 0.110 ppb |
| 2013-06-05 | 201306060186AM | ND |
| 2013-06-07 | 201306080065AM | 0.110 ppb |
| 2013-07-20 | 201307230246AM | 0.140 ppb |
| 2013-07-20 | 201307230248AM | ND |
| 2013-07-20 | 201307230270AM | 1.20 ppb |
| 2013-07-20 | 201307230278AM | 0.120 ppb |
| 2013-07-20 | 201307230213AM | 0.0730 ppb |
| 2013-07-22 | 201307230206AM | 0.0960 ppb |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010452AM | ND |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010447AM | 0.210 ppb |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010390AM | 0.190 ppb |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010437AM | 0.160 ppb |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010337AM | 0.140 ppb |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010347AM | ND |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010476AM | ND |
| 2013-07-30 | 201308010462AM | ND |
| 2013-07-31 | 201308020159AM | ND |
| 2013-07-31 | 201308020147AM | ND |
| 2013-07-31 | 201308020149AM | ND |
| 2013-07-31 | 201308020152AM | ND |
| 2013-07-31 | 201308010343AM | 0.110 ppb |
| 2013-08-16 | 201308200180AM | ND |
| 2013-10-28 | 201310300156AM | 0.970 ppb |
| 2013-10-28 | 201310300149AM | 0.210 ppb |
| 2013-10-29 | 201311010182AM | ND |
| 2013-10-30 | 201311010192AM | 0.0930 ppb |
| 2013-10-30 | 201311010190AM | 0.120 ppb |
| 2013-10-31 | 201311020025AM | 0.280 ppb |