Tittabawassee River

From WikiCover

In late November 2006, Dow Chemical identified dioxin hot spots along the first six miles of the Tittabawassee River contaminated with levels up to 87,000 parts per trillion, far in excess of state and federal requirements. The areas of concern are subject to flooding and erosion that could spread the contamination.

The Dow facility is a 1,900-acre chemical manufacturing plant located in Midland, Michigan. Dioxins and furans were byproducts from the manufacture of chlorine-based products. Past waste disposal practices, fugitive emissions and incineration at Dow have resulted in on- and off-site dioxin and furan contamination. Contamination of the Saginaw Bay Watershed extends over 50 miles into Saginaw Bay.

EPA has documented that dioxin contamination in soil poses risks to human health and the environment. Cleanup must take place in a significant portion of the Upper Tittabawassee River this construction season.

On June 27, 2007, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 notified Dow Chemical that it must immediately start cleanup of three dioxin-contaminated hot spots downstream of its Midland facility.