News Release
11/06/96
North Bronson Industrial Area Evaluated
The abandoned Scott Fetzer Cyanide Destruction Facility, located in the middle of a residential block, contains dilapidated and collapsing buildings that are dangerous to trespassers. Surface soil is contaminated with metals that could be dangerous to people who make prolonged or frequent visits to the facility. While the assessment was in preparation, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) installed a new fence around the facility and removed some of the debris, reducing the hazards and risk of exposure.
There is also an extensive area on the north side of the city where the groundwater contains various organic solvents. Several private wells serving homes in the area were contaminated with the solvents. The affected homes have all been provided with connections to the Bronson municipal water system. However, not all of the affected wells are known to have been sealed to prevent future use.
The North Bronson Industrial Area study area covers approximately 230 acres on the north side of Bronson. The study area includes two clusters of lagoons that were used between 1939 and 1981 for industrial waste water disposal, County Drain No. 30 between the lagoon areas, and various current and former industrial facilities including the Scott Fetzer Cyanide Destruction Facility. Soil, sediment, surface water, lagoon sludges, and groundwater in the site study area are contaminated with metals and organic chemicals.
The North Bronson Industrial Area, defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as the lagoon areas and the drain connecting them, is on the Superfund National Priorities List, and the U.S. EPA is investigating that portion of the site to determine an appropriate clean-up method. The remainder of the study area is being addressed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).
MDCH is seeking public comment on the draft Public Health Assessment and welcomes new information regarding the site. Copies of the draft Public Health Assessment are available for review at the Bronson Public Library and the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph District Health Department offices in Coldwater. Information and comments should be addressed to the Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Health Risk Assessment, 3423 North Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., P.O. Box 30195, Lansing, Michigan 48909. People may also call the toll-free telephone number, 1-800-MI-TOXIC.
The formal public comment period will last until December 6, 1996, but comments on the assessment and any new information concerning the site will be welcome at any time. This draft assessment is an update of the Preliminary Health Assessment for the site that the Michigan Department of Public Health issued on April 24, 1989. The Public Health Assessment on the North Bronson Industrial Area site was conducted by MDCH under a cooperative agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
For further information, call John L. Hesse or Brendan Boyle at the MDCH Division of Health Risk Assessment, (517) 335-8350, or at the toll-free number listed above.