Lone Tree Council and TRW
Dioxin Update
June 27 th 2006 #71
DEQ DOW Community Meeting - DEQ needs to make a decision
The link below will take you to the transcript of the DEQ Dow community
meeting in mid-May. The discussion pasted in this update is an exchange
I had with Dow's John Musser and Peter Simon a Dow Consultant doing
mapping on the Tittabawassee River. ( Mr. Simon was not allowed to
answer)
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Peter Simon -- Mr. Musser, maybe
you can help with this, too -- I'm wondering, while you're out
there collecting that sample and that data, if you find hot spots,
if you find elevations, why can't you dredge it out right then and
there? Why can't you pull it from the river at that time?
JOHN MUSSER: Once again, okay, if we find a hot
spot -- and I can't define that for you. I don't have the
definition, but the intent is there.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Isn't that a priority, John?
Just one second, shouldn't it be a priority for Dow and DEQ to
determine when you get out there what constitutes a level?
JOHN MUSSER: We'll have to figure it out. I don't
know.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Don't you think that's a
priority?
JOHN MUSSER: Well, point taken, and we are
committed to making the right decisions at the right time. When we
have the data that says this is a hot spot, and by coordination and
collaboration with DEQ, we'll decide on action. If it’s required at
that time, we'll do it.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You will pull that stuff out of
the river?
JOHN MUSSER: We will do what is required for the
circumstances, Michelle, okay.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You will pull that stuff out of
the river?
JOHN MUSSER: You heard what I said.
Sorry but "commitment" and "intent" are just not enough.
It's incredible that five years into this contamination the state
has not settled on what constitutes a hot spot. In the meantime,
with every flooding event, the dioxin will be reshuffled and pushed
down to the Saginaw River and out to Lake Huron. A letter was sent (
6-14) raising the issue with both Dow and DEQ. DEQ needs to decide
on a number (ppt) that would require sediment removal as the mapping
begins this year on the Tittabawassee River and Dow needs to remove
those levels when they find them. Will let you know what we hear
back.
*
About the National Academy of Science (NAS) Dioxin Review
Below are links to this past weeks stories about the pending release from
the NAS about dioxin. Let me share a few thoughts and comments.
The release from the NAS is not the final word on dioxin. It is just one of
12 or 13 peer reviewed reports on the EPA's fifteen year Dioxin
Reassessment.
It is interesting that Dow has made rounds to the local media to put their
spin on the NAS review. A document that no one else has information about.
It's my understanding that Dow has said the NAS report along with the Dow
funded U of M study will change how dioxin is addressed. Perhaps Dow has the
inside scoop on these studies.
It becomes more interesting with Rep. Moolenaar's abrupt amendment to his
original legislation to change the state's standard from 90 ppt to 1,000
ppt. Last week within 48 hours the original bill was withdrawn and a
bill calling on the DEQ to utilize the forthcoming NAS report was
introduced. Perhaps Mr. Moolenaar has the inside scoop too.
Representative Moolenaar stated that his legislation:
" will ensure that any action taken by the DEQ will incorporate the best
available science to get a true indicator of dioxin toxicity and exposure."
Does anyone really believe the state is not using best available science?
These are the same state employees and the same science which Moolenaar all
but ignored during the Engler years when the DEQ was under the iron fist of
Russ Harding and Dow had nothing to worry about. Moolenaar had no problem
with the state's science back then.
"The best available science, used on a national level, should be
incorporated to guide our state-level public health policy," said
Rep. John Moolenaar.
Representative Moolenaar has consistently ignored previous peer reviews
at the national level which call for greater public health protection for
dioxin exposure. If Representative Moolenaar really trusted the "national
science" he would insist that the DEQ protect for cancers with a risk
level of 1 in 10,000 like at the federal level. DEQ risk level is 1 in
100,000.
At the national level, ATSDR calls for public health screening at levels of
50 ppt..........I don't see Representative Moolenaar insisting on this
policy but then again neither does Dow.
*
Another gift from Dow Chemical
Crews digging up, cleaning up radioactive waste at mouth of Saginaw
River
Bay City Times
By Jeff Kart
June 27th 2006
Snip
The slag is a byproduct of castings made at a magnesium foundry that Dow
operated in Bay City from the 1940s through the 1960s. It's been
buried by the Saginaw Bay for decades.
*
Enjoy and be safe this July Fourth holiday.......
Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council