Dow Dioxin
Saginaw, Michigan
ESC has contracted with E² Inc. to represent the Lone Tree Council and the river communities’ interests during the cleanup of the Tittabawassee River, the Saginaw River and the Saginaw Bay. Dow Chemical is responsible for polluting 52-miles of these waterways with dioxins. The site has not been listed on the NPL, but Dow has just signed an Agreement and Order on Consent with EPA and Michigan DEQ to take responsibility for the cleanup. The AOC requires Dow to conduct a Remedial Investigation, prepare a Feasibility Study and develop a Response Design, on which the EPA and MDEQ will have oversight. ESC will be involved at the very foundation of this new cleanup as the Lone Tree Council’s technical reviewer of the AOC through the EPA’s Technical Assistance Services for Communities program.
Dioxins, known to cause cancer and diabetes, are unsafe even at very low levels because they build up in humans and wildlife over time. Dow’s contamination has affected this particular site for over 20 years.
There will be a public meeting to learn more about the cleanup negotiation between Dow, MDEQ, and the EPA on Tuesday, December 15 at 6:30pm at the Delta College Lecture Theater (map). Dr. Peter deFur will be presenting and available to take the community’s questions on public health effects, environmental quality, and remediation strategies. We hope to see you there!
Lone Tree Council’s involvement with Dow and the EPA
EPA’s TASC program
Carcinogenic effects of dioxins
AOC Community Fact Sheet
Pictures from Peter’s recent trip to the site
Scientific Articles on Dioxin
Overview of the CERCLA Superfund Regulatory Process
Dr. deFur’s presentation from the 12/15/09 community conversation at Delta College