Dow controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2023
New Jersey 1,4-dioxane pollution litigation
New Jersey pursued claims involving Dow and other companies over contamination of water with 1,4-dioxane, a substance described in reporting on the case as a likely human carcinogen.
2019
Hempstead files lawsuit over 1,4-Dioxane contamination
Lawsuit filed
The Town of Hempstead filed a federal lawsuit against Dow Chemical Company, Ferro Corporation and Vulcan Materials Company, accusing them of knowingly manufacturing, promoting and/or selling products containing 1,4-Dioxane despite knowing it could reach local water supply wells. The town seeks damages for water-treatment costs and punitive damages; these are allegations in the lawsuit.
Stated objective. hold industrial manufacturers accountable for the costs of removing 1,4-Dioxane from the town’s drinking water supply wells
Source excerpt
Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen announced Tuesday the town filed a lawsuit in federal court to hold industrial manufacturers accountable for the costs of removing 1,4-Dioxane, a highly toxic chemical, from the town’s drinking water supply wells.
Hempstead accuses Dow Chemical Company, Ferro Corporation and Vulcan Materials Company of knowingly and willfully manufacturing, promoting and/or selling products containing 1,4-Dioxane to local consumers, when they knew the chemical would eventually make its way into local water supply wells.
1960
Napalm and Agent Orange controversy
Dow’s production of napalm for the U.S. military and association with Agent Orange during the Vietnam War became major sources of protest, litigation, and reputational criticism. Agent Orange controversy was intensified by concerns about dioxin contamination and alleged health effects.