Saginaw Bay watershed top toxic spot in nation

Friday, November 23, 2007
JUSTIN ENGEL
THE SAGINAW NEWS
A top government scientist says a toxic ''hot spot'' found in the Saginaw River near Wickes Park in Saginaw could represent the highest level of dioxin contamination ever recorded in the nation's river and lake systems.

As Midland's Dow Chemical Co. prepares to clean up the site next week,officials continue to debate the level of danger it represents. ''We don't believe there's any imminent or significant human health or environmental threat,'' Dow said.

However, officials at the EPA and state Department of Environmental Quality say the public shouldn't downplay the danger because of the intensity of contamination found in Wickes Park. ''This is beyond the debate of whether there's an immediate health risk,'' said Robert McCann, DEQ spokesman. ''Not when you're looking at levels that high.''

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