US EPA tells Dow to clean up dioxin sites

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Wednesday that it told Dow Chemical to begin the clean-up of three dioxin-contaminated sites in Michigan immediately.

The EPA said Dow must start field work by 15 August at the sites downstream of Dow’s Midland facility on the Tittabawassee River.

The EPA said it took the action using the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.

Dow has identified “hot spots” containing dioxin concentrations on the river in excess of state and federal limits, the EPA said in a statement, and the company has taken too long to clean up the sites.

Dow has five days to respond to EPA's notice letter, the agency said. Dow could not be reached immediately for comment.

The Dow facility is a 1,900-acre chemical manufacturing plant in Midland.

Dioxins and furans were by-products from the manufacture of chlorine-based products, the EPA said.

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly