Superfund Information Systems: Site Profile

Superfund Site:

TEN-MILE DRAIN
ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI

Health & Environment

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What Are the Risks at the Site?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the primary contaminant found at the site. PCBs are a group of chemicals originally used in industrial processes. PCBs have also been used in sealants, rubber, paints, plastics, printing ink, and insecticides. All PCBs are man-made; there are no known natural sources of PCBs in the environment. PCBs are either oily liquids or solids. They are colorless to light yellow and do not have a known smell or taste. PCBs do not readily dissolve in water or easily break down in the environment. In 1977, PCB production was banned in the United States.

Risks and pathways addressed by the cleanup include health risks from people coming in contact with PCBs. PCBs can pose potential health risks through ingesting PCB-contaminated food, soil, or water; through direct contact; or through breathing PCB-contaminated air or particles. EPA considers PCBs as potential cancer-causing chemicals.

The Michigan Department of Community Health has issued a “Do Not Eat” advisory for all fish taken from the Lange/Revere canals and carp and catfish caught in Lake St. Clair.

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Contaminant Information

View a full list of contaminants of concern for this site.

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Performance Measures

EPA uses performance measures to track environmental results at Superfund sites. If you have any questions or concerns about the measures at this site, please contact the site team members listed under Site Contacts.

Read more about Superfund Remedial Performance Measures.

Performance
Measure		 Status at this
Superfund Site		 What does this mean?
Human Exposure Under Control No Yes means assessments indicate that across the entire site:
  1. There are currently no unacceptable human exposure pathways; and
  2. EPA has determined the site is under control for human exposure.

No means an unsafe level of contamination has been detected at the site and a reasonable expectation exists that people could be exposed.

Insufficient data means that, due to uncertainty regarding exposures, one cannot draw conclusions as to whether human exposures are controlled, typically because:
  1. Response to the contamination has not begun; or
  2. The response has begun, but it has not yet generated information sufficiently reliable to evaluate whether there are currently any unacceptable human exposure pathways at the site.
Groundwater Migration Under Control Not a Groundwater Site

Yes means EPA reviewed all information on known and reasonably expected groundwater contamination. EPA concluded the migration of contaminated groundwater is stabilized and there is no unacceptable discharge to surface water. EPA will conduct monitoring to confirm that affected groundwater remains in the original area of contamination.

No means EPA has reviewed all information on known and reasonably expected groundwater contamination, and the migration of contaminated groundwater is not stabilized.

Insufficient data means that due to uncertainty regarding contaminated groundwater migration, EPA cannot draw conclusions as to whether the migration of contaminated groundwater is stabilized.

Construction Complete No

Yes means the physical construction of the cleanup is complete for the entire site.

No means either physical construction is not complete or actions are still needed to address contamination.

Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use No Yes means:
  1. All cleanup goals affecting current and reasonably anticipated future land uses of the entire site have been achieved, so there are no unacceptable risks;
  2. All required land-use restrictions or other controls have been put in place; and
  3. The site has achieved Construction Complete status.

No means that one or more of these three criteria have not been met. However, a site listed as no may still have redevelopment occurring on portions of the site and may be eligible for additional redevelopment.

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Superfund