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MDCH Seeks Public Comment On Health Consultation For Hamtramck Neighborhood

May 19, 2006

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has released for public comment a draft Public Health Consultation regarding the lead contamination in the Grand Haven neighborhood in Hamtramck, and has determined that overall exposure to lead in the soils, deteriorating lead-based paints, and other sources on some properties in the neighborhood, poses a public health hazard.

MDCH conducted this public health consultation at the request of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality because there were concerns that properties in this area had been impacted by historic lead smelting operations.

The Wayne County Health Department and the city of Hamtramck have removed lead contaminated soils in the area bounded by Dequindre, Caniff, Grand Haven, and Commor Streets. The new homes under construction on properties in this area do not post a public health hazard.

However, soil lead concentrations on some other properties in the area are higher than the state clean-up criteria. MDCH recommends that homes with lead-based paint be abated and that soils with lead concentrations greater than the state's clean-up criteria be remediated. MDCH also recommends that children under 6 years of age living on these properties be tested for blood lead levels. The health consultation lists various resources people can go to for additional information.

MDCH invites the public to review the health consultation and offer comments on it. Copies of the document are available for public review at the Hamtramck Public Library, 2360 Caniff Street, Hamtramck. The document is also available on-line at www.michigan.gov/mdch-toxics, under "Health Assessments and Related Documents."

Information and comments should be addressed to Christina Bush, Toxicologist, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, Capitol View Building, P.O. Box 30195, Lansing, Michigan 48909.  People may also call the toll-free telephone number, 1-800-648-6942 (1-800-MI-TOXIC) or send comments via e-mail to bushcr@michigan.gov.  Comments on the Public Health Consultation must be received by June 19, 2006.  All comments received will be evaluated and considered and responses will be provided in the final version of the consultation