Toxic Chemical Found In Many New Jersey Water Systems: Reports

Small amounts of a probable carcinogen were found in more than 80 water systems in New Jersey, according to reports.

An analysis of federal data by The Record said the chemical, 1,4-dioxane, raised concerns after it was found at a Superfund site in Ringwood. 1,4-dioxane can damage the liver, kidney and respiratory systems.

It has been found in water systems that serve Fair Lawn, Garfield, Pompton Lakes, Oakland, Ramsey, Park Ridge, Elmwood Park, Ridgewood, Wallington, Hawthorne, Mahwah and other towns that receive most of their water from wells, according to The Record.

The nj.com report, however, said the chemical was found in water systems in "every part" of the state. The Record report also said "It has also been found in almost 80 other water systems in every part of the state, from Shore towns to Highlands communities."

The Environmental Protection Agency classifies 1,4-dioxane as an "unregulated contaminant" because of a lack of enough data that would show its potential danger and prevalence in water supplies, according to nj.com.

The state Department of Environmental Protection plans to eventually develop a drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane. Right now, the agency is focused on developing standards for other dangerous chemicals found in state water supplies, according to the nj.com report.

The chemical was recently discovered in groundwater at the Ringwood Superfund site in the Ramapo Mountains, where Ford Motor Co. dumped tons of paint sludge almost 50 years ago. That groundwater is in the watershed that supplies the Wanaque Reservoir, 1,4-dioxane has not been detected in the reservoir that serves up to 3 million people, according to The Record.