SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Groundwater contamination near a closed Ford Motor Company plant in Shelby Township has spread and is worse than first thought, say soil experts.
The plant, near 23 Mile Road and Mound, has been closed and was in the process of being demolished. It was sold by Ford to Visteon and than to Indiana Metals who was doing the demolition work.
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The Macomb County Circuit Court hired the environmental consulting firm Dragun Corp as part of an ongoing lawsuit with Ford.
Last year Dragun Corp reported that soil samples showed health-threatening chemicals TCE and TCA present in the groundwater, reports The Oakland Press.
The company now says the situation is much worse. Read: Ford may face toxic land lawsuit
"This is a very serious situation and I am extremely concerned for the safety of all of the residents in this area," said State Representative Jeff Farrington in response to the findings.
"I will continue to monitor the situation and will do whatever I can to help make sure that a quick and thorough cleanup takes place to make the area safe again. The residents in the area deserve nothing less."
In 2012 Ford attempted to get a Protective Order to seal documents dealing with the contamination.
"The situation is far worse than what we were initially told," said State Sen. Jack Brandenburg Harrison Township. "Rep. Farrington and I will both pay close attention to any further details that are released about the pollution. This is a very serious problem that needs to be dealt with in a fast and efficient manner for the residents of Shelby Township."
Cleanup of the site could cost as much as $150 million.