History of the Pall-Gelman Dioxane Groundwater Contamination Cleanup

Overview

• The story began as a success narrative of Charles Gelman, a University of Michigan graduate, who started Gelman Sciences in 1958.
• Gelman Sciences developed micro-porous filters, widely used in pollution detection.
• Over time, the narrative turned into an environmental disaster due to 1,4-dioxane contamination.

Contamination Details

• 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen, polluted soil and groundwater from the Gelman plant in Scio Township.
• Initial pollution reports emerged in 1968 and 1969 but lacked significant regulatory action and media coverage.

Major Events

• 1984: First news coverage of dioxane as a contaminant.
• 1985: Dioxane confirmed in nearby wells, leading to increased concern and legal actions.
• 1991: Legal rulings favored Gelman due to weak state regulations.
• 1997: Gelman Sciences sold to Pall Corporation.
• 2015: Pall acquired by Danaher Corporation.

Environmental Impact

• Millions of gallons of tainted groundwater extracted and treated.
• Concern persists about contamination spreading to Barton Pond, Ann Arbor’s water supply.

Legal and Community Actions

• Numerous lawsuits between Gelman, the state, and local residents.
• Homeowners affected by contaminated wells were provided bottled water and alternative shower facilities.
• Debate over funding for connecting affected residents to Ann Arbor’s water system.

Key Individuals

• Daniel Bicknell: Discovered dioxane contamination in 1984, faced skepticism, but was later vindicated.
• Roger Rayle: Co-founder of Scio Residents for Safe Water, has led efforts to monitor and push for cleanup and accountability for over 30 years.

Ongoing Concerns and Actions

• Continued monitoring and cleanup efforts are ongoing, with public officials seeking additional funding.
• Historical articles from The Ann Arbor News cover the issue extensively until the newspaper's closure in 2009.

Conclusion

• The story of the Gelman contamination reflects the changes in public opinion and regulation regarding environmental protection.
• It highlights both the failures and successes in environmental activism and the importance of persistent advocacy.

Additional Resources

• Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) website.
• Various reports available at the Ann Arbor District Library and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Gelman Sciences page.

Related Articles

• MLive article on DEQ's proposed tougher cleanup standards (March 15, 2016).