City of Detroit Checking on Additional 100-Plus Demolition Sites For Possible Contamination

File photo of demolition

Detroit city officials said this week that they need to check the soil at an additional 100-plus demolition sites for possible contamination, the Detroit Free Press reports.

John Roach, a spokesman for the city, said it's unclear where the dirt at those sites originated, and the city will have to test for possible contamination.

The city had already identified 500 sites that needed testing. Of those, roughly 60 so far have been identified as contaminated, and the soil has been removed and replaced.

Detroit's Construction and Demolition Department, which disclosed the new information on Thursday, said it is improving its processes to ensure environmental standards are met for demolitions.

The agency also said it is behind on its goal to test the original 500 sites by the end of March due to a long stretch of sub-freezing temperatures. 

The Freep reports:

Test results have shown neurotoxins and carcinogens like lead and arsenic above state environmental guidelines buried at dozens of locations — some of which flank occupied homes — potentially putting public health at risk.