Thursday, May 27, 2004
JEREMIAH STETTLERTHE SAGINAW NEWS
People want to know how much dioxin is in their blood, but they want a government agency to do the study and Dow Chemical Co. to pay for it, a survey released by the state Department of Community Health indicates.
The survey, mailed to 1,000 Tittabawassee River and Midland residents, calls for a government-steered investigation into dioxin levels downstream and downwind of the chemical giant.
The study would compare blood samples from residents on contaminated properties to those taken from outside the Tri-Cities. Officials hope to determine whether there is a connection between dioxin in the soil and dioxin in the blood.
Although the suggested study is similar to an investigation already launched by David H. Garabrant, a professor of occupational medicine and epidemiology at the University of Michigan, officials say the projects are separate and independent of one another.
In survey results released Wednesday, the state found 84 percent of Tittabawassee River residents and 64 percent of Midland residents favor an exposure investigation.
Most participants along the Tittabawassee River wanted a state or federal health agency to conduct the study with Dow footing the bill -- positions taken by 78 percent and 62 percent of residents, respectively.
Officials found lesser majorities in Midland, where 18 percent of residents said a university should conduct the study and 42 percent said a state or federal health agency should provide the funds.
Both populations ultimately agreed that a government entity should oversee the project and use Dow dollars, however.
Linda D. Dykema, principal investigator for the state Health Department, launched a small-scale investigation into the dust, soil and blood of 25 residents along the Tittabawassee River earlier this year. Though limited in scope, Dykema hopes the study will evolve into a larger exposure investigation.
While the survey may influence the design of that study, Dykema said funding remains an obstacle. Her agency cannot accept money from Dow.
"There is no legal mechanism for us to take money from Dow to conduct a study," she told members of a citizen's advisory panel Wednesday.
Dykema could not say how officials might lift that restriction, but speculated that it would take a legislative act.
Details on the survey are available by calling Dykema at (800) 648-6942. t
© 2004 Saginaw News
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