L'Anse Wipe Samples February 2016
At the request of EPA, on Feb. 1, 2016, MDEQ took multiple dust wipe samples around the L’Anse community, east of the L’Anse Warden Electric Co. EPA was trying to find any signature chemicals that may suggest emissions from the L’Anse Warden Electric Company facility were migrating over the fenceline. All samples were taken from private residences, businesses or public spaces.
The wipes were analyzed for pentachlorophenol, as well as multiple metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. The samples did detect the presence of these substances. At this time EPA doesn’t have enough information to determine whether the levels found in the dust wipes were excessive or could cause health problems. Additional investigation will be needed to learn about any potential risk to the community.