Facing multimillion dollar costs for new pollution controls, nine Nassau County water suppliers have sued chemical manufacturers for 1,4-dioxane contamination, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists as a likely carcinogen.
The separate lawsuits filed in Eastern District of U.S. District Court in Central Islip contend Dow Chemical Co., Ferro Corp. and Vulcan Materials Co. knew or should have known the compound commonly used in a manufacturing solvent from the 1960s to 1990s would pollute groundwater, including instructing commercial users to dispose of waste solvents by pouring them onto the ground or in trenches for evaporation or burning.
The state has said the cost of cleanup would be more than $300 million.
"The public shouldn’t have to bear the cost of removing 1,4-dioxane from their drinking water.
That case is being heard in federal court.
"Rather than go after the companies on Long Island directly responsible for the contamination, the water suppliers brought this suit against Dow even though Dow did not conduct any operations on Long Island that are a source of contamination," Ashley E. Mendoza wrote in a statement.
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While there’s no federal drinking water standard, New York State is expected later this year to finalize a first-in-the-nation drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane, which the EPA said has been associated with liver and kidney damage, as well as increased cancer risk.
In 2017, Hicksville Water District filed a lawsuit against owners of Philips Electronics, a light manufacturer, that operated from the 1950s until 1989.
That water district’s representatives and attorneys were not available to comment Thursday.