Gov. Gretchen Whitmer weighs in on green ooze I-696 contamination

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Consumer investigator Hank Winchester got answers from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about the toxic green ooze that was discovered along I-696 in Madison Heights and what wasn’t done to clean it up.

The substance, identified as hexavalent chromium, was discovered on the eastbound side of the roadway, near the Couzens Road exit, on Dec. 20, 2019. Officials said the substance is coming from the basement of the now-condemned Electro-Plating Services.

The business owner, Gary Sayers, headed to prison recently after he pleaded guilty to storing hazardous waste without a permit.

READ: Discovery of green substance on I-696 leads to multi-county contamination investigation

Investigators are waiting on a set of critical test results to show how much of the toxic chemicals have seeped into the ground. Those key test results are expected back as early as Friday and that will let investigators know if the soil or water have been affected.

Watch the video above for the full report.


About the Authors

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

Recommended Videos