Michigan records highest dioxin level

SAGINAW, Mich., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Dow Chemical is preparing to clean up what a government scientist says is the highest level of dioxin contamination ever recorded in a U.S. river or lake.

The toxic "hot spot" discovered in Michigan's Saginaw River measured 1.6 million parts per trillion, a level nearly 20 times higher than any previous find, The Saginaw News reported Monday.

Officials at the Michigan Department of Community Health issued a fish consumption advisory for the entire Saginaw River and a portion of Saginaw Bay.

The advisory warns against eating carp, catfish and white bass, and alerts women of child-bearing age and children against eating certain types of other fish.

Milton Clark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chicago branch says officials have been unable to find any other hot spot that measures even close to the latest Michigan find.

Michigan guidelines require corrective action be taken on environmental contamination measuring above 1,000 parts per trillion.