Part of a larger investigation of Dow Chemical Co.'s dioxin contamination in the Midland area
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a request for information to the city of Midland, Mich., for all dioxin sampling data taken within the city in 2006 and 2007.
The EPA said the city of Midland has information that would give it a more complete picture of Dow Chemical Co.'s dioxin contamination in that area. EPA has also sent information requests to two other entities that hold relevant information.
EPA Region 5 Superfund Division Director Richard Karl, said: "It appears that the data is obscured by an unusual double blind system that EPA has been unable to obtain voluntarily from the city of Midland. The city holds the key to the data and we're requiring them to provide it."
Today's request is part of a larger investigation of dioxin contamination in the Midland area. In mid-August, EPA issued two requests to Dow asking for information on off-site and on-site dioxin sampling conducted by Dow and more extensive data on numerous other hazardous materials produced at the Dow Midland plant.
Dow began a dioxin cleanup in three hot spots of the Tittabawassee River as a result of EPA orders in late June. Those cleanups are expected to be completed this year and set the stage for additional work downriver.
