STURGIS, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has been involved with a vapor intrusion investigation in the City of Sturgis for almost two years.
The Sturgis Municipal Well site was placed in the Superfund Program in 1984 due to chemical contamination from the Kirsch Company that impacted the local drinking water wells. In 2016, the site was re-evaluated for a new concern called vapor intrusion which happens when contaminated vapor gets into the indoor air of a building.
Newell Brands is the current owner of the property and they have been assisting with the vapor intrusion investigation as required by the EPA.
The investigation was to determine if there is a possible health risk to the people living in the affected area which covers a three-block area.
All the homeowners in the affected area have been contacted by Newell to request access agreements to allow the indoor testing. Of the 47 homes in the affected area, 38 of the homeowners agreed to the testing.
Of the 38 homes tested, 17 required another test called sub-slab testing which gives a better indication of the potential for indoor air contamination. This test requires drilling through the basement floor and placing a tube that collects the vapors accumulating below the slab of the home. Of the 17 homes, 11 were found to have significant levels of vapor and these homes were also mitigated. All the costs are being covered by Newell Brands. Their investigation is being conducted with the regulatory oversight from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality with assistance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has assisted with communication to property owners and home occupants.
