02/23/04
MDEQ Phase 3 residence dioxin test results in: 77% tested properties contaminated
Source: www.trwnews.net
Residents participating in the MDEQ
Phase 3 dioxin sampling study recently received the "draft" results. The
study was conducted on 22 Saginaw County residential properties in the Tittabawassee River
100 year floodplain between June and December of 2003. The official results will be
published publicly in the near future. Dioxin levels as high as 5,660 ppt TEQ have
been found on residential property.
The MDEQ has completed the total toxicity equivalent (TEQ)
calculations of dioxin, so that the results can be compared to the 90 parts per trillion (ppt) dioxin criteria RDCC
generated in accordance with Part 201, Environmental
Remediation, of the Natural Resource and environmental Protection Act, 1994,PA 451, as
amended in the Part 201 Administrative Rules.
The tables below summarizes the findings. Table created by TRW based on draft MDEQ results.
| Analysis by Street/Road | ||||||
Road |
Number Residences Tested |
% Residences with > 90 ppt TEQ samples |
Highest TEQ |
Number Samples |
# samples > 90 ppt TEQ |
% > 90 ppt TEQ |
Adams |
1 |
100% |
260 |
3 |
1 |
33% |
Midland |
8 |
50% |
1,570 |
79 |
20 |
25% |
Michigan |
1 |
100% |
3,140 |
15 |
11 |
73% |
River |
7 |
100% |
5,660 |
73 |
38 |
52% |
Strobel |
3 |
66% |
2,640 |
36 |
5 |
14% |
St. Andrews |
1 |
100% |
1,340 |
6 |
4 |
67% |
Wallace |
1 |
100% |
1,970 |
9 |
9 |
100% |
Total |
22 |
77% |
221 |
88 |
40% |
|
An important footnote: The MDEQ has performed a few random samplings from a few locations on a few properties due to the high cost of sampling. Over time, flood plain soil moves around due to floods, wind, erosion, etc.. A dioxin level posted for a residence does not indicate the lowest or the highest contamination that may be on a property, a sample taken a small distance away may be higher or lower. Unless every square foot of the property is tested every year, we will never know the true extent.
In TRW's opinion, the random sampling of 22 properties (out of ~2000) suggests the dioxin is everywhere in the flood plain at levels well beyond the States 90 ppt TEQ, including surface levels. If you live in the 100 year flood plain, assume your property is contaminated, possibly with very high levels. Take precautions immedately.
>>> Click here for additional Phase 3 details including dixoin levels by depth and residence.
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This link is an excerpt from the Tittabawassee River Watch www.trwnews.net site. The site contains hundreds of articles pertaining to the dioxin contaminiation of the Tittabawassee River in central Michigan USA by the Dow Chemical Company. On-line informaton includes dioxin related research, regulatory agency activity, class action lawsuit activity, 100's of newspaper articles, citizen editorials, and much more. Click here to visit.