Environment
Goal: Saginaw County will work towards the reduction of air, water, and land pollutants to reduce environmental and health risks.
About Environmental Data
Note: Environmental data is different from most other data sources in this report. Environmental data is decentralized by Regions (EPA and Michigan) and by Divisions (Air, Climate, Land, Pollution, Waste and Water). Unlike data in other sections of this report, environmental data is not collected solely by city, county or state but by flow patterns of air, water, and land (i.e., the data for water and dioxin is for the Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers not just Saginaw County; and air pollution for Saginaw County includes Midland and Bay Counties). In Michigan, the county and city data many times are limited to specific environmental issues (i.e., pollution in Detroit) or hazards (i.e., oil spill on the Kalamazoo River).
Since Environmental Data is collected by region and by environmental issue, in some instances, measurements exist for Saginaw County but in others they do not (i.e., carcinogens to the air data is measured in 51 counties in Michigan including Saginaw but carcinogens to water has no measurement taken in Saginaw County). Thus, even the EPA data is collected by region (i.e., Lake Michigan) and pollutants (i.e., water, air, etc.) but not by state unless there is an environmental action needed (i.e., EPA Superfund site).
In this section we attempted to gather data that 1) directly impacted Saginaw County; 2) that impacted the Saginaw County region (including Midland, Bay, and Genesee Counties); and 3) that impacted Saginaw indirectly (i.e., dioxin pollution). Last, we used third party databases who collect and analyze regional and local data to formulate a more robust picture of Saginaw County for comparisons.
Since Environmental Data is collected by region and by environmental issue, in some instances, measurements exist for Saginaw County but in others they do not (i.e., carcinogens to the air data is measured in 51 counties in Michigan including Saginaw but carcinogens to water has no measurement taken in Saginaw County). Thus, even the EPA data is collected by region (i.e., Lake Michigan) and pollutants (i.e., water, air, etc.) but not by state unless there is an environmental action needed (i.e., EPA Superfund site).
In this section we attempted to gather data that 1) directly impacted Saginaw County; 2) that impacted the Saginaw County region (including Midland, Bay, and Genesee Counties); and 3) that impacted Saginaw indirectly (i.e., dioxin pollution). Last, we used third party databases who collect and analyze regional and local data to formulate a more robust picture of Saginaw County for comparisons.
Measure
This measurement includes the 2008 State of Michigan’s Environment Triennial Report; Information from MIAIR; SWIMS; EPA; 2009 Air Quality Report; and other Department of Environmental Qualities Reports, Measures, and Data Releases.
The measures below include air quality and pollution index; Ambient Particulate Matter (PM2.5); the Average Total Mercury Concentrations in Michigan Rivers, 2004–2006. Data also includes Dioxin Study from the MDEQ and University of Michigan relating dioxin to cancer rates. For a more robust picture of Saginaw County, we include data from the Environmental Scorecard to measure TRI Chemicals in Saginaw County.
The measures below include air quality and pollution index; Ambient Particulate Matter (PM2.5); the Average Total Mercury Concentrations in Michigan Rivers, 2004–2006. Data also includes Dioxin Study from the MDEQ and University of Michigan relating dioxin to cancer rates. For a more robust picture of Saginaw County, we include data from the Environmental Scorecard to measure TRI Chemicals in Saginaw County.
Why This Indicator is Important
Public Act 195 of 1999 (Environmental Indicators Act) was signed into law in December 1999, requiring that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to prepare biennial reports on the quality of the state's environment based on scientifically supportable environmental indicators and using sound scientific methodologies. The 2008 Triennial Report is divided into three sections: environmental measures, programmatic measures, and emergent contaminants of concern in Michigan to help inform citizens on the impact of our actions on the environment. In Michigan, our dependence on water resources impacts the uses of land, air and water quality. The significance of knowledge of environmental parameters helps us understand that the impact of the environment needs to be considered more thoroughly, including a master plan and a more formalized connection between the environmental factors and community health, economic development, and well-being. Environmental knowledge and the proper consideration of its effects are essential.
Given the current budget cuts in Michigan and in Washington, D.C., many environmental programs will not be renewed or have run out of funding. In Michigan, DEQ operates on several funds including: the Environmental Protection Bond Fund to clean up contaminated sites has been exhausted; the Clean Michigan Initiative to clean up contaminated sites has been exhausted; the General Fund to also clean contaminated sites (ended in 2002); the Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund, which gives the Department of Environmental Quality unclaimed bottle deposits (about $8 million); the Recovered funds, where the state collects money for cleanup work, which generates about $5 million because many polluters have left or gone bankrupt; and the Refined Petroleum Fund, a 7/8-cent fee on each gallon of gasoline sold in Michigan goes into the fund. Revenues are to be spent to clean up sites where underground gasoline storage tanks have leaked, although funds have been spent to cover debt on the two cleanup bonds, inspect gas pumps, pay DEQ staff and plug a funding shortfall in the state's general fund budget. This measurement is important because it impacts all other areas of this report including housing, education, economics, and health. For example, according to the Health Department many health problems (cancer, asthma, respiratory ailments) can be traced to unhealthy buildings or contaminated sites near neighborhoods.
Given the current budget cuts in Michigan and in Washington, D.C., many environmental programs will not be renewed or have run out of funding. In Michigan, DEQ operates on several funds including: the Environmental Protection Bond Fund to clean up contaminated sites has been exhausted; the Clean Michigan Initiative to clean up contaminated sites has been exhausted; the General Fund to also clean contaminated sites (ended in 2002); the Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund, which gives the Department of Environmental Quality unclaimed bottle deposits (about $8 million); the Recovered funds, where the state collects money for cleanup work, which generates about $5 million because many polluters have left or gone bankrupt; and the Refined Petroleum Fund, a 7/8-cent fee on each gallon of gasoline sold in Michigan goes into the fund. Revenues are to be spent to clean up sites where underground gasoline storage tanks have leaked, although funds have been spent to cover debt on the two cleanup bonds, inspect gas pumps, pay DEQ staff and plug a funding shortfall in the state's general fund budget. This measurement is important because it impacts all other areas of this report including housing, education, economics, and health. For example, according to the Health Department many health problems (cancer, asthma, respiratory ailments) can be traced to unhealthy buildings or contaminated sites near neighborhoods.
How Are We Doing?
The Saginaw MIAIR air quality index is a median value, which considers the most hazardous air pollutants. The Saginaw MIAIR quality index is 39.1% less than the Michigan average and 37.9% less than the national average. The Saginaw County, Michigan pollution index is the sum of the most hazardous air pollutants displayed in pounds. The Saginaw County, Michigan pollution index is 44.5% greater than the Michigan average and 7.6% greater than the national average.
Saginaw County Rivers (Saginaw and Tittabawassee) saw an above average concentration of mercury (6 parts per trillion for Saginaw and about 3 parts per trillion for the Tittabawassee in 2006). The Ambient Particular Matter (measured in micrograms per Cubic Meter) was below the EPA Air Standard (13) for Concentration and the best for Metropolitan Areas in Michigan (includes Bay and Midland).
Researchers from the University of Michigan found a cluster of breast cancer in Midland, Saginaw, and Bay Counties between 1985 and 2002. High levels of dioxins and other contaminants in soil and higher-than average body burdens of dioxins in local residents, particularly those who lived in the region prior to 1980. The 2008 study found increased breast cancer incidence was spatially associated with dioxin contamination.
In TRI Chemical releases (reported), Saginaw County ranks near the top in all areas reported, which can create long-term issues for health, well-being and economic development in the area. For specific mapping of the impact of TRI Chemical pollutions, see the U.S. National Medical Library of the National Institutes of Health’s Tox Map and the EPA’s TRI Chemical State Fact Sheet Report on Toxins.
Saginaw County Rivers (Saginaw and Tittabawassee) saw an above average concentration of mercury (6 parts per trillion for Saginaw and about 3 parts per trillion for the Tittabawassee in 2006). The Ambient Particular Matter (measured in micrograms per Cubic Meter) was below the EPA Air Standard (13) for Concentration and the best for Metropolitan Areas in Michigan (includes Bay and Midland).
Researchers from the University of Michigan found a cluster of breast cancer in Midland, Saginaw, and Bay Counties between 1985 and 2002. High levels of dioxins and other contaminants in soil and higher-than average body burdens of dioxins in local residents, particularly those who lived in the region prior to 1980. The 2008 study found increased breast cancer incidence was spatially associated with dioxin contamination.
In TRI Chemical releases (reported), Saginaw County ranks near the top in all areas reported, which can create long-term issues for health, well-being and economic development in the area. For specific mapping of the impact of TRI Chemical pollutions, see the U.S. National Medical Library of the National Institutes of Health’s Tox Map and the EPA’s TRI Chemical State Fact Sheet Report on Toxins.
How Can You Have An Impact?
- Support local recycling programs.
- Donate time and money to clean-up initiatives.
- Educate area youth on the importance and implications of environmental protection and safety.
- Advocate for more local programs regarding how to better the environment.
- Encourage use of local bottle return facilities.
- Advocate for local industries to meet environmental quality standards.
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