Dioxin Delays

Series produced by The Environment Report

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A 5-part series of feature reports on how a huge corporation can delay the clean-up of toxic chemicals in a community where people are being harmed.

The pollution in mid-Michigan has taken longer to address than the clean-up of Love Canal or Times Beach. The EPA and Dow Chemical say they are finalizing an agreement over the cleanup. That agreement and findings about dioxin will likely have big implications for other clean-ups around the country.

Reporter Shawn Allee investigates Dow Chemical and the dioxin contamination in mid-Michigan. Central Michigan has lived with toxic dioxin pollution in two major rivers and Saginaw Bay for decades. Shawn looks at who's been affected, why it's taken so long to clean up, how the science behind dioxin has played into this, and what the cleanup means for the rest of the country.


5 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Imerman Park sits on the flood plain of the Tittabawassee River.  Signs along the trail warn visitors about dioxin contamination in some of the park's soil., Credit: Shawn Allee
Shawn Allee looks at a dioxin and soil study and how the science might influence other clean-ups around the country.

  • Added: Nov 06, 2009
  • Length: 03:37
Caption: Fish advisories dot the banks of the Tittabawassee and  Saginaw Rivers.  Various forms or pollution, including historical dioxin pollution from Dow Chemical, have led to warnings to avoid certain species of fish and limit consumption for them.  Pregnant w, Credit: Shawn Allee
Shawn Allee finds old dioxin pollution from a Dow chemical plant poses a health risk today.

  • Added: Nov 06, 2009
  • Length: 03:29
Caption: Mitch Larson lives in Saginaw's Riverside neighborhood,  which saw a large dioxin removal project last year.  His home is on the  banks of Tittabawassee River., Credit: Shawn Allee
Shawn Allee talks with residents about living with Dow and dioxin.

  • Added: Nov 06, 2009
  • Length: 03:38
Caption: The southeast corner of the Dow Chemical plant, from the vantage  of Midland's Whiting Overlook Park, which features an homage to and  history of the company and its founder., Credit: Shawn Allee
Residents are asking why it's taken so long to clean up the dioxin. Shawn Allee looks for an answer.

  • Added: Nov 06, 2009
  • Length: 03:17
Caption: Valdus Adamkus, Credit: This photograph was produced by AgĂȘncia Brasil, a public Brazilian news agency.
Shawn Allee meets a man who took the Dow and dioxin issue to Congress years ago and is shocked it hasn't been dealt with.

  • Added: Nov 06, 2009
  • Length: 03:40