The Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Agriculture (MDA) announced preliminary findings today from environmental sampling conducted at Gallagher Farm Services in Ionia County.  A search warrant was administered on July 7, 2009, to investigate concerns of hazardous wastes thought to be located on the property.

A large number of barrels and other containers were discovered buried on the property during the search, and staff took container, soil, and groundwater samples which were analyzed at state laboratories.  Preliminary findings from those samples show levels of compounds above safe drinking water standards such as arsenic, lead, nitrates, and lindane in the groundwater, as well as benzene, 3 & 4 methylphenol, and other materials found in the soils on the property. 

Samples analyzed by MDA also confirmed the presence of a number of pesticides found in the soils, as well as in an irrigation pond located on site, including chlorothalonil, alachlor, and acetochlor, all of which are recognized cancer causing agents, as well as bromoxynil, which has been associated with other health impacts.  MDA Director Don Koivisto added that while these are commonly used agricultural pesticides, proper handling and disposal is critical to their safe use.

Tests of samples taken from a drinking water well located on the property confirmed it was contaminated with pesticides.  Follow-up testing from drinking water wells on neighboring properties, however, has not found any pesticides to date.  DEQ Director Steven Chester noted that additional work would be needed to determine how far the groundwater contamination has spread, but that these initial findings confirm the need for additional analysis to begin immediately to ensure the contamination is ultimately cleaned up. 

A joint DEQ, MDA, and U.S. EPA investigation into the circumstances of the buried barrels and related contamination is ongoing.

Editor's note:  DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"