What is 1,4-dioxane?

1,4-dioxane is a clear liquid that easily dissolves in water. It is used primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals and as a laboratory reagent. 1,4-dioxane is a trace contaminant of some chemicals used in cosmetics, detergents, and shampoos. However, manufacturers now reduce 1,4-dioxane from these chemicals to low levels before these chemicals are made into products used in the home.

1,4-dioxane can be released into the air, water, and soil at places where it is produced or used as a solvent. In air, 1,4-dioxane rapidly breaks down into different compounds. In water, 1,4-dioxane is stable and does not break down. In soil, 1,4-dioxane does not stick to soil particles, so it can move from soil into groundwater. Fish and plants will not accumulate 1,4-dioxane in their tissues.

Exposure to 1,4-dioxane occurs from breathing contaminated air, ingestion of contaminated food and drinking water, and dermal contact with products such as cosmetics that may contain small amounts of 1,4-dioxane. Exposure to high levels of 1,4-dioxane in the air can result in nasal cavity, liver, and kidney damage. Ingestion or dermal contact with high levels of 1,4-dioxane can result in liver and kidney damage. 1,4-dioxane has been found on at least 31 of 1,689 National Priorities List (NPL) sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The chemical is in most of the drinking water on the East and West coast. 1,4-dioxane is on the EPA list as a cancer-causing chemical with additional possible adverse effects to the liver, kidneys, nasal tissue, and central nervous system.^[1] Short-term exposure to high levels is reported to cause drowsiness, headache, nausea, and eye irritation.^[2] According to the CDC, human exposure to 1,4-dioxane is possible through breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, and skin contact through the use of common consumer products.^[3]

The EPA’s main concern for exposure is through contaminated drinking water because 1,4-dioxane is not readily removed through typical wastewater or drinking water treatment processes.[4] The EPA has stated that a concentration of 35 micrograms per liter (0.35 µg/L) of 1,4-dioxane should not be exceeded in drinking water.

Synonyms for 1,4 Dioxane:[5]

• 1,4-diethylene dioxide
• 1,4-dioxacyclohexane
• 1,4-diethyleneoxide
• Di(ethylene oxide)
• Diethylene dioxide
• Diethylene ether
• Dioxane
• Dioxane-1,4
• Dioxyethylene ether
• Glycol ethylene ether
• p-dioxane
• p-dioxin, tetrahydro-
• Tetrahydro-1,4-dioxin
• Tetrahydro-p-dioxin

The following is a list (in no particular order) of the main manufacturers, designers, promoters, distributors, and suppliers of 1,4-dioxane in the U.S.: [6]

• Dow Chemical
• Ferro Corporation
• HBCChem Inc.
• CarboMer
• AccuStandard
• MP Biomedicals
• Stepan Co.
• Gelman Sciences
• Ashland Global Holdings
• Vulcan Materials Company
• Shell Chemical LP (Shell Oil Company)

A. 1,4-dioxane Products

Due to its broad range of solvent properties used in manufacturing as well as its creation as a byproduct of the manufacturing process (in which case it is often not listed as an ingredient) it is present in an extremely wide range of commercial and industrial products. The list below is far from exhaustive: [7]

1. Shampoos
2. Makeup
3. Lotion
4. Soaps
5. Shaving creams
6. Detergents
7. Perfumes
8. Toothpaste and mouthwash
9. Paint strippers
10. Dyes
11. Varnishes and waxes
12. Antifreeze
13. Aircraft deicing fluids
14. Adhesives
15. Degreasing solvents
16. Cleaning products
17. Food supplements
18. Pesticides
19. Deodorants

1,4-dioxane cannot be remediated from drinking water systems easily. It needs a specialized remediation system, which is extremely expensive. Municipalities need to contact Mr. Sacks, who is working with the finest law firms in the USA, to help municipalities sue the major companies responsible for the drinking water contamination.