The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging residents in the vicinity of Lake Bluffs Estates Mobile Home Park (formerly Rockland Mobile Home Park) in Lake Bluff to get their private well water tested. This comes after routine checks revealed the possibility of 1,4-Dioxane levels exceeding safe limits. Specifically, those within the bounds of the Elgin Joliet and Eastern Railway to the north and west, Illinois Route 131 to the east, and Illinois Route 176 to the south should take note. A statement made by the State of Illinois emphasized the importance of screening for this contaminant, which could have serious health implications over prolonged exposure.
The level of 1,4-Dioxane found in the Mobile Home Park's water supply was a concerning 0.95 parts per billion (ppb), overshadowing the Illinois EPA's groundwater quality standard of 0.78 ppb. Long-term exposure to this organic compound, frequently used as a solvent stabilizer, could lead to an increased risk of liver cancer. Residents who rely on their private wells are being advised to contact certified labs for testing, or to look into carbon filters or seek a connection to the public water supply of Lake Bluff Village.
For those unfamiliar, 1,4-Dioxane isn’t something to shrug off. While it's a common enough industrial chemical, that doesn't mean you'd want it in your water glass. The advice from IDPH is direct and to the point: test your water. Helpfully, they even provide avenues to get more information about certified laboratories and the implications of the test results. Interested parties should reach out to IDPH by phone at (217) 782-5830 or by email at [email protected], as per the State of Illinois.
For specifics on Lake Bluff Estates Mobile Home Park's community water supply, the point of contact is Jeff Guy from the IEPA, reachable at (217) 785-8724 or via email at [email protected].
