Howell MI (11/21/2019) – Air test results taken near a Howell facility believed responsible for high emissions of trichloroethylene (TCE) show all samples below health screening values, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced this afternoon.
The testing was conducted as a follow up after high levels of the contaminant were found in previous testing released last week. Additional tests are ongoing.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), with support from the Livingston County Health Department and MDHHS, conducted ambient (or outdoor) air sampling in the area around Diamond Chrome Plating located at 604 S. Michigan Avenue in Howell. Diamond Chrome has been conducting hard chrome and cadmium coating operations for the aerospace, aeronautical, and food industries since 1953.
The facility stopped operation of a degreaser suspected to be the source of the TCE earlier this week.
Sample results reviewed this afternoon showed that out of the 19 sample locations, 10 came back non-detect for trichloroethylene (TCE) and 9 came back with low amounts of TCE. The sampling results containing TCE were below health screening values. Additionally, the samples containing TCE were located near and downwind of the Diamond Chrome Plating facility. Sample results will be posted at Michigan.gov/DiamondChrome in the coming days.
Agencies are holding a public meeting tonight to talk about the sample results and other activities around the Diamond Chrome Plating facility. The meeting will be held at the Parker Middle School, 400 Wright Road, Howell starting at 7 P.M
To stay up to date on other EGLE, news follow us at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.
Correction 11/22: A previous version of this release stated the EGLE was the agency that annouced the results the afternoon of 11/21; the correct agency is the MDHHS. It also stated MDHHS with the support of EGLE and LCHD conducted ambient outdoor sampling; the correct agency is EGLE with the support from the LCHD and the MDHHS.
Diamond Chrome ends use of TCE in its degreasing process
Howell MI (11/27/2019) – Diamond Chrome Plating has informed the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) that it will no longer use trichloroethylene (TCE) and is removing the compound from its Howell facility.
EGLE – in collaboration with partners the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Livingston County Health Department, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – is committed to thoroughly reviewing alternatives proposed by the company in order to ensure protection of public health and the environment.
Previous air sampling last week found high levels of TCE in the area around the Diamond Chrome Plating facility at 604 S. Michigan Ave., creating a public health hazard. Following a notice to cease releases of TCE from the facility on November 18, 2019, Diamond Chrome stopped operation of its degreaser, the suspected source of the TCE emissions.
To stay up to date on Diamond Chrome developments, visit Michigan.gov/DiamondChrome.
Contact: EGLE Media Office, EGLE-assist@michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
