Published October 29, 2004
Game deemed unsafe near Tittabawassee

By Brandon Cleaver
For the Lansing State Journal

Consumers have been warned not to eat game hunted in the Tittabawassee River floodplain near Midland.

The departments of Agriculture, Community Health, Environmental Quality and Natural Resources examined samples of game from the floodplain and discovered high levels of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in the animals.

They concluded that eating deer or turkey that contain dioxin at the levels found in a Dow Chemical Co. study could harm humans.

"Community Health looked at the results given to us by Dow and issued the health advisory based on a human criteria," communications officer T.J. Bucholz said. "We ultimately determined they were harmful to humans."

Dioxin, a byproduct of some agricultural products Dow stopped making in the '60s, has built up in the Tittabawassee sediment.

"The problem occurred before the introduction of waste and water treatment systems," said Ann Ainsworth, media relations leader for Dow Chemical Co.

Barbara and Howard Steinmetzhave lived about 20 feet above the floodplain for 31 years.

Toxicologists from Environmental Quality and Community Health tested the Steinmetzes and their home and found high levels of dioxin in the house and in their blood.

"We have a beautiful, serene spot along the river full of wildlife where our children used to play along," Barbara Steinmetz said. "But our lives have been completely consumed by the knowledge that this area has been poisoned."

Dioxin describes a group of hundreds of chemicals that are highly persistent in the environment. It is formed by burning chlorine-based chemical compounds with hydrocarbons.

Dioxin exposure has been linked to birth defects, inability to maintain pregnancy, decreased fertility, reduced sperm counts, endometriosis, diabetes, learning disabilities, immune system suppression, lung problems, skin disorders, lowered testosterone levels and other problems.

The Steinmetzes have had many illnesses. Howard, 71, has had two cancers - non-Hodgkins lymphoma and prostate cancer, which has recently returned - along with heart problems. Barbara, 67, has had endometriosis and had two-thirds of her stomach removed as a cancer precaution.

The Steinmetzes' daughter, Ivy, has suffered nine failed fertilizations and now is determined to adopt a child, according to her parents.

A U.S Environmental Protection Agency report confirmed that dioxin can cause cancer and that exposure can also cause severe reproductive and developmental problems - at levels 100 times lower than those associated with its cancer-causing effects. Dioxin is also known to damage the immune system and interfere with hormonal systems.

"What makes it so bad is that it enters your system and you don't even realize it's there," Howard said.

Ainsworth said that there isn't conclusive evidence proving that exposure to dioxin has had long-term effects.

But the Steinmetzes disagree.

"If there isn't a health hazard, then what's all this about? Why is the government concerned if it doesn't hurt people? Why the advisories and why the big fuss?" Barbara said.

The dioxin in the Tittabawassee, is also found about six miles out into the Saginaw Bay.

"With the dioxin reaching into the bay, who knows if it may eventually reach about 20 miles further into the water intake system for Midland," Howard said.

Jerry Wojtala, agriculture's deputy director of food and dairy, said his department's concern is its impact on food crops.

"Our role is limited, but with the dioxin along the river, we are concerned with how it may affect commercial food production," he said.

Dan O'Brien, veteran wildlife specialist at the DNR, also had a role in issuing the advisory.

"DNR has expertise in biology and behavior of wildlife. That's why we got involved," O'Brien said. "There are a lot of issues with Dow as far as harmful dioxins in soil, fish, etc., but this is new."

The Steinmetzes are concerned that people aren't aware or don't fully recognize the implications of this situation.

"Imagine if the Red Cedar River was polluted with dioxin," Barbara said. "With all the students that spend time near the river, how would you feel if you suddenly found out that a cancer-hazardous substance was in the river?"

For additional articles like this one, go to the Tittabawasse River Watch web site www.trwnews.net for complete coverage of the Tittabawassee River Dow Chemical dioxin contamination saga. . The Newspaper / Media page of our site contains an extensive archive of media articles dating back to January 2002. The source organization's web site link is listed to the right of the article, visit often for other news in our area. The Newspaper / Media page may be accessed by scrolling down to the bottom of the CONTENTS section and clicking on the Newspaper/Media link.