• Dioxin Information
Dioxins are a group of 210 chemicals that have similar structures and chemical properties. Dioxins in the environment are usually a mixture of these chemicals. Dioxins are not intentionally produced. There is no known use for dioxins. They are the by-products of industrial and combustion activities. Sources of dioxins include chemical and pesticide manufacture, burning household trash, forest fires, and waste incineration. Dioxins are found at low levels in air, soil, water, sediment (the bottom of rivers, streams, and lakes), and in foods like meats, dairy, fish, and shellfish. The highest levels of dioxins are usually found in soil, sediment, and in animal fat. Much lower levels are found in air and water. Not all dioxins have the same toxicity. Toxicity is the ability to cause illness and adverse health effects. The most toxic chemical in the group is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (2,3,7,8- TCDD). Because it is the most toxic, 2,3,7,8- TCDD is the standard to which other dioxins are compared.

• Midland/Tittabawassee River Dioxin Information
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has found higher than normal levels of dioxins in soil and sediment samples taken from the flood plain of the Tittabawassee River. Samples were taken from some private property and from public parks including the Chippewa Nature Center, West Michigan Park, Imerman Park, Freeland Festival Park, the Caldwell Boat Launch, and Emerson Park. The levels of dioxins found at some of these locations exceed the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) action level of 1,000 parts per trillion (ppt) for dioxin. Similar levels of dioxins may be found in other areas of the flood plain of the Tittabawassee River downstream of Midland. The MDEQ is taking more samples in the flood plain to determine the extent of contamination. Soil samples taken from areas outside the flood plain were at normal background levels.