Thursday, March 04, 2004

PAUL WYCHE
THE SAGINAW NEWS

A Dow Chemical Co. official pleaded the company's case today before the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce.

Susan Carrington, vice president and director of the company's dioxin initiative, addressed about 200 members of the group during its Percolator Breakfast Club meeting.

Dow faces a potentially far-reaching lawsuit that alleges the chemical giant polluted properties downstream from its Midland complex with dioxin -- a toxic byproduct of chemical manufacturing.

Residents along the Tittabawassee River accuse the company of wrecking their property values and putting their health at risk.

Carrington said Dow is "committed to stepping up and doing what's right," but doing so doesn't mean acting on emotion.

She said lost in all the hoopla surrounding dioxin concerns is the fact that only small amounts of the substance exist in the area in question and that it's doubtful it will cause real harm.

"Based on everything we know, it's unlikely that anyone in this area has absorbed dioxin to have (adverse) health effects," Carrington said.

Besides Dow, auto manufacturing, wastewater and agriculture processes have contributed to dioxin in the soil, she said.

Carrington reminded the business leaders of Dow's contribution to the Tri-Cities, including annually pumping $922 million into the economy.

She said the company has always worked hard at "environmental stewardship."

Dow has never tried to skirt the dioxin issue, Carrington said, as evidenced by its 17 small-group discussions with about 200 residents last year.

Chief Saginaw County Circuit Judge Leopold P. Borrello must decide whether the lawsuit, which presently consists of 173 residents, will gain class-action status. If he does certify the suit as a class action, it could include every resident along the Tittabawassee. t

Paul Wyche covers business for The Saginaw News. You may reach him at 776-9674.

© 2004 Saginaw News