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New phase announced in Dow dioxin cleanup near Midland

Environmental Protection Agency seal
Environmental Protection Agency
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epa.gov

Officials say the newest phase in a multi-year cleanup of dioxin contamination downstream of the Dow Chemical Co. plant in Midland should get underway next year and cost about $6 million.

Discharges from the plant in the last century boosted levels of dioxins in the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and their floodplains.

Dioxins are highly toxic chemicals that can cause serious health problems including cancer.

Cleanup has been underway since 2012 on a 21-mile section of the Tittabawassee floodplain.

The Midland Daily News reports that during a recent community meeting, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official said the next phase will cover a 6-mile stretch of the river.

Different methods will be used on contaminated sediments.

Some will be removed and taken to landfills. Others will be covered over.

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