City urging Midlanders to participate in dialogue
By Kathie Marchlewski , Midland Daily News
05/23/2004
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality studies of dioxin in Midland soils could affect thousands, and city officials want residents to be aware of what recent developments could mean.
"I don't think people realize how potentially broad the problem is," said Mayor R. Drummond Black. City estimates show that 8,800 homes and 21,300 people -- nearly half the population -- could be affected by DEQ regulations and Dow cleanup requirements. "People think 'It's not at my house.' but it's looking as though it could be at a great number of houses."
A community meeting on the topic will be held with representatives from the MDEQ, Dow, the Midland County Health Department and the City of Midland Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Midland Center for the Arts.
Black said the idea is to give the community a clear picture of the situation and an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns.
Jim Sygo, deputy director of the DEQ, said data is already present to make a reasonable inference that large areas of Midland should be designated "facilities." That label, already imposed on owners of property within the boundaries of the Tittabawassee River's 100-year flood plain, would mean that homeowners would have to disclose information about the contamination to potential buyers. It also could affect the ability for people to care for yards, or prohibit future development because of soil movement advisories.
The DEQ is planning further soil testing this summer, and Sygo adds that "further delay of the corrective action process ... may result in unnecessary, continued exposures to the Midland population."
Previous tests show the manufacturing byproduct, deposited via airborne emissions from past incineration at Dow, is likely to be in excess of the state standard of 90 parts per trillion as far as two miles from the Dow plant.
Property owners can submit questions and concerns to the panel invited to the meeting by calling 837-3400 or visiting
www.midland-mi.org.Community meeting Wednesday
What: A community meeting hosted by the city. On hand to answer pre-submitted questions about dioxin contamination in the community will be representatives of the MDEQ, Dow, the Midland County Health Department and the City of Midland. Property owners can submit questions to the panel before hand by calling 837-3400 or visiting www.midland-mi.org.
When: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Where: Midland Center for the Arts.
Who should go: Property owners concerned about the effects of dioxin contamination on health and property values. The city estimates that nearly 9,000 homes and 21,000 people could be affected.
Why: The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is planning to re-test Midland soils for levels of dioxin contamination. Levels higher than the state's residential direct contact criteria have been reported in the past and likely still exist. While no known health effects have been reported, property values could be affected and mitigation actions could lie ahead. Properties that test at levels higher than 90 ppt. (areas northeast of the Dow plant have shown averages near 200 ppt.) will be labeled "facilities." Properties not tested, but within areas expected to be contaminated will also receive the label.
©Midland Daily News 2004