EPA misses self-appointed deadline to release official study on dioxin
Published: Wednesday, February 01, 2012, 12:00 PM Adam Bouton |Saginaw News

KOCHVILLE TWP. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency missed its self-appointed deadline to release the official and complete study on dioxins.

The EPA had promised to release the study by the end of January. It has been working on the study of dioxins since 1985.

Members of the Lone Tree Council, a nonprofit environmental organization based in Bay City, said they were disappointed but hopeful that a study would be released soon. Thousands of individuals and organizations all across the United States have urged the release of the study.

“We’re hearing rumors that it’s not being released, but we haven’t got anything confirmed yet,” said Terry Miller, Lone Tree Council chairman. “Gosh, it would be very disappointing if that was the case. We haven’t heard anything from an authorized source yet. Nothing from Washington. Perhaps today.”

The local cleanup process started in 2011 on the Tittabawassee River near Dow Chemical Co.’s Midland plant. Work on the Saginaw River and Bay is planned, as well. Segment 1, which is underway, is expected to take about two years.

Almost everyone has measurable levels of dioxins in his or her body. It is linked to cancer in laboratory animals.

Dow Chemical has acknowledged that it dumped dioxins and other chemicals into the Tittabawassee River decades ago.

Miller hopes that the study comes out soon.

“If in fact the rumors are true, the special interests win over the people again,” added Miller. “That’s a theme that we’ll hear over and over again this year, I’m afraid. The anticipated release reflecting the dioxin could potentially create jobs. It’s not a win-lose situation. People are protected, health is protected, and it could create new and innovative alternatives.”

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/02/epa_misses_self-appointed_dead.html

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