Troubling Arsenic Levels Found At Some Detroit Demolition Sites
Elevated levels of arsenic have been found at seven Detroit sites where buildings were demolished in 2017-18 and filled with soil.
DETROIT (AP/CBS DETROIT) — Elevated levels of arsenic have been found at seven Detroit sites where buildings were demolished in 2017-18 and filled with soil, a newspaper reported.
The results followed concerns raised by federal inspectors that 200 sites may have been filled with risky dirt.
Tests show unsafe levels of arsenic at seven sites so far and an eighth “did not fully meet quality standards,” the city said Thursday.
Detroit ordered Den-Man Construction Services to replace soil at seven sites and test or replace soil at another 127 sites.
The location of the seven city demolition lots where Den-Man must immediately replace the fill material are:
- 1723 Taylor St
- 3922 Lemay St
- 3951 Lemay St
- 3966 St. Clair St
- 4674 Fairview St
- 8059 Forestlawn St
- 19958 Greenview Ave
Additionally, the Detroit Land Bank also sent a letter to the contracting, ordering the company to test and replace the backfill at 57 demolitions.
“Whenever we become aware of a breach of contract instance, we require the contractor to address the situation at their own cost,” said Raymond Scott, deputy director of the city’s Building, Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department.
Arsenic is a natural element found in water, air and soil. Chronic exposure can cause health problems.
“Scientists, pediatricians, and public health professionals are concerned about subtle and long-range health effects of low-level exposures to arsenic in people,” according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Detroit said temporary fences would be installed around the sites.
© 2022 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.