1,4-dioxane Lawsuit for Water Contamination [2025 Update]
Complete the form below to tell us about your case
1,4-dioxane is a human-made chemical that likely causes cancer in humans. Industrial companies have dumped the chemical into community water supplies. Municipalities and water authorities are filing lawsuits against the companies that contaminated public water supplies.
1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of industrial products (like soaps, detergents, paints, and cosmetics). The EPA, FDA, CDC, and other governmental organizations have labeled 1,4-dioxane as a potential human carcinogen.
However, companies and state agencies have ignored these warnings and allowed companies to pollute drinking water with 1,4-dioxane. Now, water suppliers are taking action to secure compensation for remediation efforts.
In this article, you will find the latest updates on the 1,4-dioxane lawsuit, information about what 1,4-dioxane is, where it is found, and the health risks of 1,4-dioxane exposure. We also discuss who is at fault for the 1,4-dioxane contamination and who can file a lawsuit if they are harmed by 1,4-dioxane in their water. This page also provides instructions for how to file a 1,4-dioxane lawsuit, key filing deadlines, and estimated 1,4-dioxane lawsuit payouts.
About the 1,4-Dioxane Lawsuit
1,4-Dioxane Lawsuit News and Updates – October 2025
What Is the 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit About in 2025
What Is 1,4-dioxane and Why Is It in Drinking Water
What Locations Have 1,4-dioxane Contaminated Drinking Water
What Cancers and Health Conditions Are Linked to 1,4-dioxane
Who Is Being Sued in the 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit
Federal and State Regulation of 1,4-Dioxane
Who Can File a 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit
How Can I File a 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit
What Is the Deadline to File a 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit
Estimated 1,4-Dioxane Lawsuit Settlements and Payout Amounts
King Law Is Investigating 1,4-dioxane Claims
1,4-Dioxane Lawsuit News and Updates – 2025 Update
July 13, 2025: Environmental Groups Sue 1,4-Dioxane Polluters for Contaminating North Carolina Drinking Water
Cape Fear River Watch and Haw River Assembly have filed a lawsuit against the City of Asheboro, North Carolina, and StarPet because they allowed 1,4-dioxane to get into residents’ drinking water. 1,4-dioxane is a probable carcinogen. StarPet has been releasing it into groundwater supplies at levels up to 17 times higher than what the EPA says is safe. Nearly 1 million people depend on water from the City of Asheboro, and they are all at risk of developing cancer and diseases of the kidney and liver because of the toxins in their drinking water.
July 16, 2024: Winyeh Rivers Alliance Sues South Carolina Government, Fiber Industries for Allowing 1,4-Dioxane Pollution
A local advocacy group is suing the state and a private company over 1,4-dioxane contamination. The group, Winyeh Rivers Alliance, is suing the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Respondent Fiber Industries for not properly managing and filtering out waste that has 1,4-dioxane in it. The group believes the Department of Health and Environmental Control did not follow state and federal law when it issued permits for the private company to dump 1,4-dioxane into water supplies.
March 23, 2023: Companies Face 1,4-Dioxane Pollution Lawsuit from New Jersey Attorney General
New Jersey’s Attorney General is taking aim at the Dow Chemical Company, Vibrantz Corporation, Legacy Vulcan, and other chemical manufacturers who have let 1,4-dioxane seep into groundwater supplies in New Jersey. New Jersey’s AG accuses these organizations of violating state and federal water quality regulations and failing to warn the public about the dangers of 1,4-dioxane in their drinking water. The AG is requesting compensation to remove the 1,4-dioxane from affected drinking water supplies and asking the court to require these companies to stop releasing 1,4-dioxane into New Jerseyans’ water supplies.
November 30, 2017: Suffolk County Water Authority Files 1,4-Dioxane Lawsuit Against Chemical Manufacturers
The Suffolk County Water Authority in New York has filed a lawsuit against companies that have polluted the water with 1,4-dioxane. According to the complaint, over a million Suffolk County residents have been put at risk of developing cancer because of the 1,4-dioxane in their drinking water. The companies responsible for the pollution include Dow Chemical, Procter & Gamble, Ferro Corporation, Vulcan Materials, and Shell Oil. The Suffolk County Water Authority says the companies may have been dumping 1,4-dioxane into the environment since about the 1960s. The Water Authority seeks compensation (such as the cost to measure and reduce 1,4-dioxane levels in drinking water) as well as punitive damages. The court is expected to hold a trial in the fall of 2025.
April 2012: CDC Publishes Warning About 1,4-Dioxane Risk to Consumers
The
What Is the 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit About in 2025?
Water authorities and municipalities are suing companies that have been polluting the groundwater and drinking water with 1,4-dioxane. The chemical poses a threat to human health. 1,4-dioxane is also a possible carcinogen. Exposure to the chemical through drinking water is associated with cancer, kidney disease, and liver disease.
Lawsuits allege that chemical manufacturers like Dow Chemical, DuPont, Chemours, and Dynax knew they were exposing people to 1,4-dioxane but did not warn them about the dangers of the chemical. Those bringing the lawsuits are requesting compensation for water filtration and cleanup costs and other damages because of 1,4-dioxane water pollution.
Is the 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit a Class Action Lawsuit?
The 1,4-dioxane lawsuit includes consumer class action lawsuits, individual claims, and actions filed by governments and municipalities on behalf of residents. One such class action for 1,4-dioxane was filed on behalf of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The civilian class action and individual claims focus on holding the companies accountable for harming people’s physical health by polluting the water with 1,4-dioxane. In these legal actions, civilians are requesting reimbursement of medical expenses, lost wages, and other personal losses.
The lawsuits filed by cities, towns, water districts, and states seek to hold 1,4-dioxane polluters accountable for violating pollution laws and recouping the taxpayer costs of filtering and cleaning up water.
What Is 1,4-dioxane and Why Is It in Drinking Water?
1,4-dioxane is a human-made chemical that is used to stabilize or dissolve other chemicals. It is in some drinking water supplies because of emissions and discharges from manufacturing plants, as well as leakage from landfills.
1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of ingredients in shampoos, glues, lotions, soaps, and paints. 1,4-dioxane mixes easily with water (miscible), cannot be filtered out of water easily, and can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through skin contact. 1,4-dioxane stays in the environment for decades because it degrades extremely slowly.
OSHA cautions that
1,4-dioxane has entered drinking water supplies because industrial processes and landfill waste have caused this chemical to leach into the soil and groundwater. Civilians, state and local governments, and other organizations are filing lawsuits to hold chemical companies accountable for releasing 1,4-dioxane into the environment.
What Locations Have 1,4-dioxane Contaminated Drinking Water?
1-4-Dioxane has been found in the drinking water supplies of millions of Americans. More citizens are discovering contamination as public reports reveal the true extent of the pollution. Governments and advocacy groups filed legal actions in North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, and other states. The goal of these lawsuits is to hold at-fault organizations and officials accountable for letting 1,4-dioxane get into residents’ drinking water. Here are some of the states where water suppliers and other entities have taken legal action for 1,4-dioxane pollution.
Asheboro, North Carolina
Two advocacy groups have sued the City of Asheboro, Indorama Ventures, and StarPet for dumping 1,4-dioxane into Haskett Creek. According to the complaint, about 900,000 people in North Carolina get their tap water from this creek. StarPet makes industrial plastics, and it “pays Asheboro to accept its industrial waste into the city’s municipal wastewater system.”
The Great Oak Landfill and other organizations also give Asheboro money to accept its waste. The advocacy group alleges that Asheboro does not remove 1,4-dioxane from its water systems. So, the contaminated water enters the creek and is consumed by people, fish, and wildlife.
The advocacy groups accuse Asheboro of knowingly violating federal and state water quality and environmental laws for years. This lawsuit is still pending. People who drank water that came from Haskett Creek and Asheboro may develop serious disease related to 1,4-dioxane ingestion.
New Jersey
New Jersey’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit because his department discovered that more than 700 locations in New Jersey have 1,4-dioxane levels that are unsafe. A 2015 water quality report revealed that New Jersey’s drinking wells are twice as likely to have 1,4-dioxane in them compared to the national average.
According to the New Jersey AG’s complaint, 1,4-dioxane levels in New Jersey soared to over 15 times what the EPA deems as potentially safe. Part of this is due to New Jersey’s historically high rates of industrial, military, and manufacturing operations. 1,4-dioxane is a common byproduct of some industrial processes, like the manufacturing of plastics, glue, and paints. The New Jersey Attorney General seeks to hold negligent corporations accountable for poisoning the drinking water with 1,4-dioxane.
Black Creek in Darlington, South Carolina
The Black Creek in Darlington, South Carolina, is contaminated with 1,4-dioxane coming from Fiber Industries, according to a legal complaint. Advocacy group Winyeh Rivers Alliance has filed a lawsuit against Fiber Industries, Ltd., and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The complaint alleges that the SC Department of Health allowed Fiber Industries to release over 25,000 to 70,000 times the amount of 1,4-dioxane allowed under federal and state water quality standards. The group believes that more than 300,000 people are at risk of getting cancer because they get their drinking water from three contaminated intakes in South Carolina: The City of Georgetown, Horry County’s Bull Creek intake, and Georgetown County’s Waccamaw Neck intake.
Winyeh Rivers Alliance believes that North Carolina’s government did not do enough to prevent Fiber Industries from polluting residents’ drinking water.
Suffolk County, Long Island, New York
Suffolk County residents in New York may be drinking water contaminated with unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen. The Suffolk County Water Authority has filed a lawsuit because several companies, such as powerhouse brands like Shell Oil and Procter & Gamble, are putting 1,4-dioxane into people’s drinking water. The legal complaint notes that the defendant corporations have been using toxic chemicals since as early as 1945.
1,4-dioxane serves “no beneficial purpose” in most products, is highly toxic, and does not readily degrade when released into the environment. 1,4-dioxane effortlessly moves from one water source to another because its tiny particles do not stick to most materials and do not break down when they contact water.
The defendant corporations attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed. However, a judge rejected the dismissal request, and Suffolk County Water Authority will get to hold a full trial on the 1,4-dioxane pollution matter.
What Cancers and Health Conditions Are Linked to 1,4-dioxane?
Long-term exposure to 1,4-dioxane is associated with a number of cancers, diseases, and other health conditions, including:
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Nasal cavity tumors
- Liver and kidney disease
- Respiratory problems
- Lung cancer
- Central nervous system issues
Scientists are still working to understand how 1,4-dioxane increases someone’s cancer risk. However, multiple animal studies and observational studies involving humans have shown an association between 1,4-dioxane exposure and cancer.
Who Is Being Sued in the 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit?
Corporate defendants and some state and local governments are being sued in the 1,4-dioxane lawsuit. Companies that are named as defendants in 1,4-dioxane lawsuits include:
- DuPont
- Dow Chemical
- Fiber Industries
- Gelman Sciences, Inc.
- Legacy Vulcan
- Procter & Gamble
- Shell Oil
- StarPet
These companies and others are accused of releasing unsafe amounts of 1,4-dioxane into the environment through industrial processes, improper waste management, and toxic byproducts from commercial goods.
The lawsuits claim that the companies knew they were dumping high levels of 1,4-dioxane into the soil and water and did not tell anyone, despite the known risks. Several state agencies (like the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control) are also being sued for not doing more to alert the public and prevent more 1,4-dioxane from entering streams and drinking water supplies.
Federal and State Regulation of 1,4-Dioxane
The federal government found that 1,4-dioxane is hazardous to human health. The EPA issued health guidelines to keep workers and consumers safe from 1,4-dioxane exposure. The EPA is conducting further assessments about 1,4-dioxane and expects to issue final, binding water quality regulations soon. Historically, the EPA recommended maximum water levels of 0.35 ppb to 3.5 ppb.
Some states have passed water quality regulations to curb the 1,4-dioxane levels in their citizens’ tap water supplies. For example:
- Michigan worked with the EPA to create a Superfund to address significant 1,4-dioxane pollution from Gelman Sciences, Inc.
- California law requires public water suppliers to notify consumers if the 1,4-dioxane levels are 1 microgram per liter or more. 1,4-dioxane levels of 35 micrograms per liter or more require the California water supplier to take action to lower them.
- New York State is in the process of creating statewide maximum contaminant levels for 1,4-dioxane.
Several states have experienced historically high 1,4-dioxane contamination from industrial runoff and poor waste management by companies and local governments. Lawsuits have been filed to hold 1,4-dioxane polluters accountable and encourage much-needed regulatory change.
Who Can File a 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit?
Currently, King Law and our legal partners are investigating lawsuits filed by water suppliers. We are accepting 1,4-dioxane water-contamination lawsuits from the following entities:
- Cities
- States
- Municipalities (e.g., cities, towns, counties)
- Water authorities
Our team of lawyers understands the nuances of filing lawsuits as a public entity. We understand how to pursue compensation to address remediation costs and public safety concerns. Our attorneys and associates have represented municipalities in other water contamination lawsuits, including PFAS lawsuits.
How Can My District File a 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit for Water Contamination?
Your district can file a 1,4-dioxane lawsuit by following these steps:
- Step 1: Schedule a no-obligation, free consultation with a lawyer who is taking 1,4-dioxane cases and experienced in filing cases for municipalities.
- Step 2: Work with the attorney to determine if your jurisdiction meets the eligibility criteria to file a 1,4-dioxane lawsuit against the entities responsible for contaminating your water supply.
- Step 3: Your attorney gathers information to file a lawsuit, including water quality reports, water testing reports, and reports submitted by private companies to state and federal agencies.
- Step 4: Your attorney negotiates your settlement with the 1,4-dioxane polluters or takes the case to trial if no settlement is reached.
- Step 5: If your case is successful, your water district receives funds to cover legal fees, remediation, testing, and other costs.
Contact King Law to understand your possible filing options for a 1,4-dioxane water contamination lawsuit. King Law works with premier environmental litigation partners who know how to take on chemical companies and win.
What Is the Deadline to File a 1,4-dioxane Lawsuit?
The deadline to file a 1,4-dioxane lawsuit depends on the type of case your jurisdiction is filing and where the case is filed. Each state has its own laws about how long entities have to file claims related to water pollution. Moreover, there are exceptions that can change when the 1,4-dioxane lawsuit filing deadlines fall. Talking to an attorney early on can help you prepare and submit your 1,4-dioxane lawsuit before your deadline expires and evidence is lost.
Estimated 1,4-Dioxane Lawsuit Settlements and Payout Amounts
Settlements and payouts for water suppliers will vary greatly depending on the amount of water contaminated, the duration and extent of the contamination, how many residents’ drinking water is affected, and expected remediation costs.
It is likely that remediation will cost millions of dollars. So, most successful lawsuits and settlements will secure millions of dollars for water suppliers and municipalities.
A potential payout could help cover costs associated with addressing 1,4-dioxane contamination, including:
- Remediation of existing water supply
- Mechanisms to prevent future contamination
- Treatment system upgrades
- Previous and future water quality testing
- Long-term water quality monitoring
- Projects to connect some residents to cleaner water supplies during remediation efforts
- Infrastructure updates necessary to address contamination
Our team can help you understand what costs your district incurred and how those costs might be offset by a successful claim.
King Law Is Investigating 1,4-dioxane Claims
Our attorneys and partners at King Law are well-versed in environmental contamination cases. We have demonstrated experience representing people and municipalities harmed by contaminated drinking water. We can use that knowledge to craft a strong legal strategy to seek a 1,4-dioxane settlement on your district’s behalf.
Contact a 1,4-dioxane Lawyer Today
If your district is covering costs related to 1,4-dioxane in your water, contact our team today by calling (585) 496-2648. King Law is ready to help you understand your legal rights when filing as a jurisdiction. We can help your district take on the company that contaminated your drinking water supply with 1,4-dioxane. We will fight on behalf of your district and its residents.