May 18, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality will discuss the results of lead sampling activities performed on properties in the Grand Haven area of Hamtramck, Wayne County at a 7:00 p.m. public meeting held on Tuesday, May 24, at the Kosciuszko Middle School Auditorium, 2333 Burger Street, Hamtramck.

The DEQ collected 279 soil samples from 143 area properties last summer and fall to evaluate potential lead contamination from historical lead smelting operations at the former Commodity Metals site. Approximately 50 percent of the tested properties down wind and within 1600 feet of the former smelter showed lead at levels above those considered acceptable for residential properties, which is 400 parts per million. Although there is no immediate risk posed by these concentrations, it is necessary to evaluate additional properties in this area.

DEQ staff will discuss the sampling results, encourage area residents whose properties have not yet been sampled to provide access for that purpose, and be available to answer any questions residents may have.

Residents whose properties were sampled are being provided with these results along with a packet of information from the DEQ. Information repositories for reports regarding the lead smelter sampling are available at:

• Hamtramck Public Library, 2360 Caniff Street, Hamtramck

• DEQ Remediation and Redevelopment Division, SE Michigan
  District Office, 27700 Donald Ct., Warren

• DEQ Remediation and Redevelopment Division, Detroit Office,
  3058 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised May 18, 2005 by Pat Watson