Ford testing chemicals found in ground outside Livonia Transmission Plant
by The Associated Press
The automaker says the tests are an "abundance of caution," adding the chemical—vinyl chloride—was likely from processes used in the 1970s
LIVONIA, Mich.—Ford Motor Co. is conducting tests at one of its Detroit-area facilities after finding vinyl chloride in groundwater outside the plant.
Samples with the chemical were found last summer seven feet below ground on the east side of Ford’s Livonia Transmission Plant, The Detroit News reported Feb. 3.
The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker told the newspaper that there is no health risk to people living in the area and that the plant gets its drinking water from the city of Detroit’s system.
Ford also sent letters to area residents advising them of the situation and upcoming testing.
“This work is simply in an abundance of caution after a chemical—vinyl chloride—from past, historic manufacturing processes was identified in underground water … while making upgrades at the plant,” plant manager Robert Groden said in the letter.
Ford “will be aggressive in investigating this,” Groden said.
The contamination came from trichloroethylene, a chemical used as a degreasing parts cleaner until the 1980s, Ford said.
Ford has been in discussions with Livonia officials and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality about the contamination. The automaker plans to drill borings in the public right of way beginning Tuesday to identify the location of the vinyl chloride, The Detroit News reported.
Livonia has hired an independent consultant to look at Ford’s data, city Administrative Services Director Dave Varga said.
“Our top concern is the safety of our residents,” Varga said.
With files from The Detroit News.
