Welcome To The CARD Site

The Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) is a partnership of local governments and citizens that develops policies and strategies to address the problems caused by 1,4-dioxane released by Pall/Gelman.  The groundwater contamination has expanded in Washtenaw County to an area over three miles long and one mile wide.  The remediation of this site is likely to take an additional 20 years or more based on Pall Corporation and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality estimates. 

CARD's activities will include actions related to permits, well installations, remediation technologies, effluent discard, contamination migration, pipe installation and maintenance and other appropriate measures. 

Whats New:   I, 4-Dioxane included on Final EPA Contaminant Candidate List 3

The EPA has finalized the list of chemicals to be included in the Contaminant Candidate List 3 (CCL 3), which identifies contaminants that are currently not subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulations, that are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems, and which may require regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).  The list includes, among others, pesticides, disinfection byproducts, chemicals used in commerce, waterborne pathogens, pharmaceuticals, and biological toxins. The EPA uses a multi-step process to select 116 candidates for the final CCL 3. The final CCL 3 includes 104 chemicals or chemical groups and 12 microbiological contaminants.

Fact Sheet: Final Third Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 3)

MDEQ Denies Pall/Gelman's (PLS's) Proposal

On 6-15-2009, MDEQ denied Pall/Gelman's (PLS's) 5-4-2009 proposal to reduce its dioxane groundwater cleanup activities and risk polluting more area water supplies... including Barton Pond where Ann Arbor gets 80% of its water.

[DEQ 6-15-2009 Response ] [DEQ Public Comment Response ]

Stay turned to make sure this decision is not overturned as it makes its way through upcoming court hearings.

The MDEQ Powerpoint from the May 27, 2009 Public Meeting is availabe for review. 

Recent Events:

On May 4, 2009, PALL submitted the "Comprehensive Proposal to Modify Cleanup Program" at the former Gelman site, now owned by PALL. The text of the document is attached, see below. Here is a link to the complete document including maps and tables.

Pall Corporation (PALL) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality are required to adhere to the schdule contained in the April 22, 2009, Stipulated Order which modified the previous April 6, 2009, Order.

While the Washtenaw County Circuit Court (Court) is not supporting the public comment period that MDEQ requested, the MDEQ is making one available, albeit much shorter (4 weeks).

A main concern is that PLS is interested in expanding the prohibition zone to include the Evergreen area, eliminating the Consent Order requirement to clean up to 85 there and instead allowing up to 2800 ppb of 1,4-dioxane to migrate further downgradient.

Currently, there is very little geologic or hydrogeologic information to the north of the "evergreen plume" (Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd area west of Maple rd and east of M-14) and no demonstration that expanding the prohibition zone toward Barton Pond will have no detrimental effects at Barton. Ann Arbor’s drinking water comes from a combination of sources. Eighty-five percent is drawn from the Huron River in Barton Pond. The remainder comes from groundwater wells located on the south side of town.

The concern of those close to the issue is that the Court took the Groundwater Surface Water Interface standard (2800ppb) and "dragged" it back from the Huron River to Maple Road with very little information demonstrating that the plume would head only to the east. It is unclear whether the Court is willing (or MDEQ will be effective in arguing) to "drag" the 34 ppb standard for a drinking water source back to the northern boundary of the prohibition zone.

Key issues related to the the revised "global" remediaction strategy are the current lack of demonstration that there is no northerly flow (toward Barton Pond) prior to allowing this and what is the contingency plan if/when something goes wrong. The current proposal by PALL does not include a contingency plan.

Recent Public Meetings Information:

Two separate public informational meetings by CARD and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality were held on:

• May 20, 2009, 7-9pm, WISD for the CARD information meeting
• May 27, 2009, 7-9pm, Haisley Elementary School for the MDEQ public meeting

Regular Meeting Reminder:

The next quarterly MDEQ/CARD - Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Scio Township Hall from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

What:   CARD - Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane Meeting
When:  Tuesday, November 3, 2009 (10:00 a.m. - Noon)
Where: Scio Township Hall, 827 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI

Click here for directions to the Scio Township Hall

Questions or comments related to the PALL/Gelman Sciences cleanup can can be posted on the 1,4-dioxane Wiki Discussion Forum.

1,4-Dioxane Plumes and Assorted Well locations Map
Prepared October 2009

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Links to 1,4-Dioxane related information

We welcome your feedback and suggestions! For more information contact Michael Gebhard at 734-222-3855 or by email.