Health risk assessors from the DNRE and the Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH) have determined that samples of wild game taken in 2003, 2004 and 2007 from the floodplains of the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River downstream of Midland contain high levels of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in muscle meats, skin and other consumable portions.

Eating deer, turkey, squirrel, wood duck or Canada geese that contain dioxin at these levels could result in adverse health effects, particularly for children and women of childbearing age. Due to dioxin levels found in wild game, Health Advisories issued by DCH in 2004 and 2008 provide species-specific recommendations for deer, turkey, squirrel, wood duck and Canada goose. Specific information can be found at www.michigan.gov/dioxin.