MDHHS lifts do not come in contact with Huron River water advisory after reviewing Tribar toxic chemical release data

The amount of chromium released into the river is not at human health risk levels, but sampling will continue

LANSING, Michigan – People and pets need not continue to avoid contact with the water of the Huron River, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has determined after reviewed data collected following a chemical release in Oakland County.

The MDHHS had issued a no-contact recommendation on August 2 after hexavalent chromium was released into the Wixom wastewater treatment facility by Tribar Manufacturing in Wixom over the weekend of July 29. The sewer feeds the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant, which discharges into the Huron River system. .

Data MDHHS received Wednesday from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and reviewed by MDHHS found that chromium levels in the river were below levels of concern for effects on human health. The data review revealed that:

• The amount of hexavalent chromium released into the Huron River was much lower than originally thought.
• The release was mostly trivalent chromium, not hexavalent chromium. Trivalent chromium is a micronutrient that is part of the human diet and is of much less concern from a health perspective.
• Hexavalent chromium was not detected in the majority of surface water samples. Detections in three samples were well below the level that could cause harm.

“MDHHS is lifting its no-contact recommendation for the Huron River based on the test results we received over the past week,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “The collaboration between local and state officials illustrates our state’s strong commitment to the health and safety of Michigan families.”

Of 146 water samples taken from 42 river miles since the release, hexavalent chromium was detected in three samples. Chromium was found in six of the 146 samples. Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen which can cause a number of adverse health effects through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation.

To protect the health of people using the river, MDHHS had recommended that people and pets avoid contact with the waters of the Huron River between North Wixom Road in Oakland County and Kensington Road in Livingston County. . This included Norton Creek downstream of the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oakland County, Hubbell Pond – also known as Mill Pond – in Oakland County, and Kent Lake in Oakland County. Oakland and Livingston. Since then, MDHHS has learned significantly more information, which led to the decision to lift the no contact recommendation.

Officials stressed there was no immediate threat to drinking water. The nearest drinking water intake is in Ann Arbor. The city has been notified of the release and is also taking steps to monitor the water supply. In addition, MDHHS and EGLE will be sampling total chromium and hexavalent chromium three times per week at several locations upstream of the Ann Arbor water intake at Barton Pond. There will be testing once a week for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS. The place and time of sampling are designed to ensure the protection of drinking water.

“Public health and safety is paramount to EGLE’s mission,” said EGLE Director Liesl Clark. As diligent sampling and testing continues for miles of the Huron River system, along with additional community support, the hard work and long hours of EGLE and MDHHS teams have gotten us to where we we are today.

Test results will be released to the public at Michigan.gov/EGLETribarResponse.

MDHHS’ MI Toxic Hotline is always available for questions about potential health effects or exposures. People can call 800-648-6942, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturday August 13 and Sunday August 14.

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