Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is found just about everywhere at low levels in air, water, soil and food. Higher levels could be due to the historical uses of lead in gasoline and paint, and from the air emissions of lead-related industries. Lead particles can be found in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, and in the things we touch - and in higher levels can be harmful. Progress has been made in reducing levels of lead in our environment, and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) remains focused on achieving even more. 

Michigan Air Emissions Reporting System data showed that four facilities in Michigan were emitting 1 ton or more per year of lead. Mueller Industries' Belding location was one of those facilities. Further evaluation and computer modeling showed that Mueller was likely to exceed the new protective health standard; therefore a monitor was installed in January 2010.  Over the spring and summer months of 2010, the monitor recorded lead levels that exceeded the US EPA's new, stricter standard. The highest three-month lead level thus far has been 0.28 micrograms per cubic meter, or roughly two times the acceptable standard.  Monitoring will continue at the site in Belding until it shows three consecutive years of meeting the health standard.  For more information, please review the fact sheet from the September 23, 2010 public meeting.  

Technical Information 

In July of 2011 DEQ installed a second lead monitor on Reed Street in Belding to determine how lead concentrations varied further downwind.

The DEQ continues to monitor lead levels in the ambient air until the site meets the US EPA's protective health standard for three years. In addition, the department has completed soil testing. Below is the most recent data available. Please routinely check this section of the webpage for technical information updates

• Air Monitoring Data
  • Estimation of 3-Month Lead Averages - All Sites
• Belding Location
  • DEQ Belding Air Monitoring Results to March 2011 
  • Summary of 24-Hr Lead Levels Merrick Street, Belding 
  • Summary of 24- Hr Lead Levels Reed Street, Belding
  • TSP Lead Measured at Merrick Street, Belding - sheet #1 
  • TSP Lead Measured at Merrick Street, Belding - sheet #2 
  • Mueller Modification Schedule
• Other Lead Sites in MI
  • Summary of 24-Hr Lead Levels Grand Rapids
  • Summary of 24-Hr Lead Levels Allen Park 
  • Summary of 24-Hr Lead Levels Dearborn
  • Summary of 24-Hr Lead Levels Vassar
  • Summary of 24-Hr Lead Levels East Jordan
  • Summary of 24-Hr Lead Levels Oakland County Air Port

• Soil Sampling Data (Please refer to the "Jan. 12, 2011, Public Meeting PowerPoint Presentation" for more information on the soil sampling data.)

• Technical Support Document for Recommended Nonattainment Boundaries in Michigan for the Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standard 

Public Outreach 
The DEQ (formerly known as the DNRE) committed to working with Mueller Industries to remedy the situation and ensure that proper actions were taken. The DEQ is working with the Belding community and state and local agencies to keep the people of Belding informed about progress, answering all residents' questions, connecting them to the best health information resources and ensuring accurate information is shared. The following is information shared (to date):

On January 18, 2012, the Remediation Division (RD) received the results of the neighborhood lead cleanup, along with a request for a No Further Action (NFA) determination.  The RD is currently reviewing the documents.  The documents can be obtained by contacting Ms. Susan Vorce, Freedom of Information Act Coordinator, at 517-241-8166 or vorces@michigan.gov.

• • Permit Number 16-11 Response to Comments 10/11
  • Permit Number 16-11 Fact Sheet 8/11
  • Jan. 12, 2011 - Public Meeting PowerPoint Presentation 
  • Jan. 12, 2011 - Public Meeting Soil Sampling Fact Sheet 
  • Jan. 12, 2011 - Public Meeting Contact Sheet 
  • Jan. 12, 2011 - Public Meeting Summary 
  • Jan. 6, 2011, Press Release, "DNRE to Hold Meeting to Update Belding Citizens on Lead Screening" 
  • Dec. 22, 2010, Extruded Metals Fact Sheet, "Important Information for the Neighbors of Extruded Metals, Inc. Belding Plant" 
  • Sept. 23, 2010, Public Meeting Fact Sheet 
  • Sept. 23, 2010, Public Meeting PowerPoint Presentation 
  • Sept. 23, 2010, Public Meeting Summary 
  • Notification Letter Sent to Area Residents 9-10 
  • Aug. 3, 2010, Press Release Announcing Elevated Lead Levels 
• ~
  What is Being Done to Lower the Airborne Lead Levels in Belding?

Mueller Industries operates equipment that emits lead during the brass rod making process.  The equipment operates under Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) air permits that restrict the emissions of air contaminants, including lead, and require control devices that reduce air emissions.  At the request of the DEQ, on September 28, 2009, Mueller Industries conducted testing to evaluate the air emissions.  Test results showed the West Chip Dryer exceeded permitted emission limits.  On December 28, 2009, the DEQ issued a violation notice for the emission exceedance. 

In response, Mueller industries modified its control equipment and in June 2010, preliminary testing revealed reduced lead emissions.  To control emissions further, an enhanced scrubber system was installed on the West Chip Dryer during the week of September 13, 2010.  New testing was conducted October 1, 2010, which determined that lead emissions from the West Chip Dryer were in compliance with the permitted limits.  To further assure that lead emissions from the facility are in compliance with permitted limits, testing was conducted November 4-5, 2010, on the East and West Bag houses which control emissions from the facility's three brass melting furnaces.  The test results showed the emissions from the brass melting furnaces were in compliance with the permitted limits.

What Soil Sampling is Being Done in Belding? 
During the public meeting on September 23, 2010, the DNRE committed to collecting soil samples from the residential neighborhood located east of Mueller Industries.  As a result, the DNRE staff spent October 11-13, 2010, interacting with homeowners and tenants, as well as collecting data regarding the lead in the soil on private land owner property in the neighborhood.  The DNRE staff screened 375 soil locations using an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to better understand lead deposition in the area surrounding Mueller Industries.  Based on the results from the XRF screening, ten locations were selected and surface soil samples collected for laboratory analysis.  As suspected, further screening indicated higher concentrations may exist in some areas, while lower concentrations exist in other areas.  In two of the locations, sampling occurred six inches beneath the surface in order to determine at what degree the lead is a natural component of the soil. 

The State Laboratory found that 7 of the 12 soil samples had lead concentrations over the residential direct contact criteria of 400 mg/kg (parts per million).  The DEQ will require cleanup of the soil to protect the public health regarding the long-term skin contact and ingestion of contaminated soil.  

The DEQ has met with Mueller Industries representatives regarding the lead sampling results, and they have committed to working with owners and tenants of affected properties in order to develop an action plan for remediation. 

• Local Air Issues: Eric Grinstern, (616) 356-0266
• Air Toxicology: Robert Sills, (517) 335-6973
• Air Monitoring: Craig Fitzner, (517) 373-7044
• Soil Sampling: Chris Christensen, (616) 356-0225
• Drinking Water: Steve Busch, (616) 356-0278
• Surface Water: Chris Veldkamp, (616) 356-0263
• Solid Waste: Amy Lachance, (616) 356-0234

Health Department Contacts 

MI Department of Community Health - Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

• www.michigan.gov/leadsafe or (517) 335-8885 or (888) 322-4453
  Ionia County Health Department (ICHD)
  
• Parents who want their children lead-tested should contact their primary care physician or Kay Houseman of ICHD, (616) 527-5341

Other Helpful Lead-Information Links 

DNRE Environmental Lead (Pb) 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil 
• Lead Standards