June 3, 2008

Dow Ordered To Clean Up Neighborhood Downstream From Headquarters

The EPA has ordered Dow Chemical to clean up high levels of dioxin in homes and yards downstream from its world headquarters in Saginaw, Mich., the Chicago Tribune reports.

The EPA found dioxin levels in soil and household dust well above the federal cleanup standard — one sample being 23 times higher than what the EPA considers reasonably safe.

Even though the company dumped dioxin-laden waste into rivers for most of the last century, Dow has delayed clean-up efforts refusing to take responsibility for the pollution and contending that dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment does not threaten people or wildlife, according to the article.

The company now says it is prepared to restore polluted areas, even though it disagrees with state and federal officials about how the project should proceed.

Last month Dow said it would raise its products’ prices by up to 20 percent due to rising costs, directing blame at the nation’s energy policy makers.

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