Michigan - EPA Completes 10-Mile Drain PCB Containment Liner; Monitoring to Continue
Courtesy of the EPA
September 20, 2006
Michigan - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5 has completed installation of a synthetic liner designed to prevent PCB
seepage into the 10-Mile Drain in St. Clair Shores, Mich. The drain, 9 to 12
feet below the street at the intersection of Bon Brae Street and Harper Avenue,
leads downstream into the Lange and Revere Canals, which flow into Lake St.
Clair, and eventually into Lake Erie and Lake Huron.
The $1.1 million
project, overseen by a Grosse Ile, Mich.-based EPA Superfund team, began in
March and built upon a partnership among EPA, Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Community Health, Macomb County
Public Works and the city of St. Clair Shores. During an earlier (2002 - 2004)
phase of the effort, EPA performed an extensive $7 million cleanup of the
canals. However, follow-up sampling of the drain and canals showed high levels
of PCBs still present.
The engineered resin liner was sealed inside the
drainage pipe using hot water. The liner keeps the PCBs outside the pipe so they
do not migrate into other parts of the drainage system. In addition to the pipe,
EPA also removed PCB-contaminated soil from nine yards or public easements along
the system. Sidewalks, manholes and yards damaged during the construction
project have been repaired or replaced.
"The new liner was designed as a
temporary solution that should work effectively for at least 15 years," said
Regional Superfund Director Richard Karl. "In the interim, the city of St. Clair
Shores and the Macomb County Public Works office will monitor its performance
quarterly and long-term strategies will be evaluated."
"St. Clair Shores
officials and residents appreciate the efforts of EPA and MDEQ during this phase
of cleanup efforts," said St. Clair Shores City Manager Ken
Podolski.
Anthony V. Marrocco, Macomb County public works commissioner,
lauded EPA, state agencies and city officials for their work on the PCB cleanup.
"The job was carried out very efficiently," said Marrocco.
PCBs
(polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of toxic chemicals that were widely used
as coolants, insulators and lubricants. PCBs are of concern because they
concentrate in the food chain resulting in health hazards to people, fish and
wildlife. Congress banned the manufacture of PCBs in 1976 and those still in use
are strictly regulated, but PCBs remain in the environment for many years.
If you have suffered from PCB exposure, you need the experience of Weitz & Luxenberg on your side. For a FREE case evaulation, fill out the simple form below.
see also:
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Residents Protest PCB DumpPlan to put over two tons of the toxic chemical PCB in Kalamazoo
Lewiston, MT
PCBs Remain after Cleanup of Lewiston, Montana Trout HatcheryLewiston, Montana Trout Hatchery Still Shows Signs of PCBs
In Your Area
Learn how dangerous PCB affects you in your areaIs PCB causing harm in your area? Find out here
