January 8, 2004

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) will conduct an investigation of dioxin levels in people that are currently living on the flood plain of the Tittabawassee River.

Twenty five adults who have lived on dioxin contaminated property in the flood plain for at least five years will be asked to participate in a Pilot Exposure Investigation.

The purpose of the investigation is to provide information on the levels of dioxins in soil, indoor dust, and blood samples for 25 residents of the Tittabawassee River flood plain. The pilot investigation will also provide information about how to conduct a future exposure investigation that could include several hundred people from the city of Midland, the Tittabawassee River flood plain, and a comparison community.

The MDCH will conduct this Pilot Investigation in cooperation with federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The ATSDR has reviewed and approved plans for the investigation, and will provide technical assistance throughout the project.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is currently conducting residential soil sampling at about 25 properties within the Tittabawassee River flood plain to support the MDCH investigation. Soil sampling is the first step in the investigation and will be used to confirm that dioxin contamination is present at the participants’ properties.

Based on the soil sampling results, MDCH will contact people living in the flood plain on contaminated property and ask them if they are willing and able to participate in the Pilot Exposure Investigation. Participants will be asked to give a blood sample for dioxin analysis. They will also be asked questions about their occupations and whether they eat sport-caught fish or game from the flood plain since these activities could contribute to dioxin body burdens.

Indoor dust samples will be taken from participants’ homes and analyzed for dioxins. The MDCH expects to begin contacting flood plain residents early in 2004 and will begin taking blood samples soon after.

The MDCH expects to provide an investigation report by the end of 2004. The protocol for the Pilot Exposure Investigation is available on the MDCH web page at or by calling the MDCH toll free at 1-800-648-6942.

Questions about the MDCH Pilot Exposure Investigation may be directed to Dr. Linda Dykema, Toxicology and Response Section, at 1-800-648-6942.