Senators introduce legislation that could raise levels of dioxin in ground

By Brian Cole

Published on April 26, 2006

Kathy and Gary Henry of Freeland, Michigan are lead plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against the state and now find themselves spearheading a movement against new legislation as well. Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit seek compensation equal to the property value of their land -- land the state says should be used with caution because of dioxin levels.

In the legislation, Sen. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, proposes that cleanup criteria for cancer causing substances continue to follow the state's existing guidelines unless the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has a different policy. In Michigan, that would have the affect of raising the level of acceptable dioxin in the ground from 90 parts per trillion, a level expected to be safe, to 1,000 ppt.

"This is a very important issue that we cannot allow our corporate legislators to get away with," Kathy Henry said, "It is not protective of public health."