"Senators Ask EPA Help for Carcinogen in Long Island Water"

"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, Friday called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to 'prioritize and accelerate' the risk evaluation for 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen found in 71 percent of Long Island water supply systems.

In a joint letter to EPA’s Acting Administrator Catherine McCabe, the senators wrote, “As you know, exposure to 1,4-dioxane, which EPA classifies as likely to be carcinogenic by all routes of exposure, can potentially cause long-term adverse health effects, including liver and kidney damage, as well as short-term side effects, including drowsiness and irritation of the eyes and nose.”

“State officials and water districts are struggling to coordinate the best course of action and are in need of more data, analysis and direction from the EPA. Concerned residents and municipalities have reached out for guidance on how to mitigate the effects of this spreading contaminant,” the two senators wrote."

Environment News Service had the stort January 30, 2017.