During the neighborhood meetings and other community input last year, many residents expressed an interest in learning more about blood testing for dioxins and furans.
As part of our commitment to answer community questions and provide a scientific approach, Dow has awarded an $180,000 grant to Dr. David Garabrant, at the University of Michigan to begin scoping a regional comparison study.
Dr. Garabrant is a professor of Medicine and Epidemiology in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He is board certified in internal medicine, preventive medicine and occupational medicine.
Dr. Garabrant will lead a team of health scientists to define typical dioxin blood levels in the area. This is an important step in understanding whether residents who live along the Tittabawassee River and in Midland have higher dioxin levels in their blood compared with a similar group of residents living outside this area. This data will help clarify whether there is a link between dioxins in soil and in human blood.
The results also will provide another point of tangible data on which to base decisions about corrective action in Midland and the Tittabawassee River area. Visit the University of Michigan's Dioxin Exposure Study web site for additional information.
About the Research:
Study size:
- 350 residents from the Tittabawassee River area
- 175 residents from Calhoun and Jackson counties
Purpose:
To study blood levels of dioxin and explore dust samples of residents, to determine if there is a connection between dioxin in soils and blood
Advisory Boards:
- 4-member scientific advisory panel that will oversee Dr. Garabrant's work
- Includes representatives from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization
- Separate, local community advisory panel will be established
- Dow will not participate on either the scientific or community advisory panels
Expected Completion Dates:
- Data gathering completed by late 2006
- Results published in 2007
