Contamination Crisis: Ann Arbor's Gelman Plume Faces Federal Action

Contaminated Groundwater in Ann Arbor Faces Federal Attention

The issue of groundwater contamination beneath Ann Arbor, Michigan, has resurfaced as a significant concern for local residents. Known as the Gelman Plume, this contamination stems from industrial practices dating back to 1966, when a medical filter manufacturing company began discharging 1,4-dioxane on its property. Although the plume was detected over 40 years ago, calls for remediation have persisted.

Residents have long sought action from state and federal authorities to address the pollution that threatens their water supply. The recent news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering designating the Gelman plume as a superfund site has sparked renewed hope among locals. This designation would enable access to additional federal resources for the cleanup of the dioxane contamination.

Michigan Public’s Elinor Epperson has explored the history of the Gelman plume and its implications. She highlighted the incidents that led to the contamination and discussed the current efforts aimed at addressing the issue. For an in-depth analysis, listeners can tune into the Stateside podcast, where Epperson delves into this ongoing environmental concern.