Brighton City Engineer: Arsenic-Laden Playgrounds Often Torn Down

An official with the company that tested the arsenic levels at Brighton's Imagination Station said Thursday that many municipalities dealing with arsenic in their playground structures end up tearing them down.

Gary Markstrom, unit vice president of Tetra Tech, gave an update at the Brighton City Council meeting on the playground's arsenic levels, which were by the engineering firm last week. Much of what he said has already been addressed in the information and in an

Markstrom said that the EPA does not require the removal of CCA-laced wood, which contains arsenic and was used to treat most wood before it was phased out before 2004. He said that it's usually up to the community to decide, and there have been many which have found the possible carcinogen in their playgrounds. Councilmember Shawn Pipoly then asked what most municipalities do when they are confronted with this playground problem.

"A number of municipalities that were aware of it have removed their structures, yes," Markstrom replied. He said that more extensive testing for the playground could be in store after he meets with officials from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on Aug. 24.

After that meeting the city will be able to decide what steps to take regarding the playground with guidance from the MDEQ.

Markstrom also indicated that the wood tested had much higher levels than what the MDEQ has said is safe. The arsenic levels in the wood were 4,400,000 parts-per-billion, higher than the standard criteria of 7,600 ppb. That number represents the amount of arsenic a person has to be exposed to over time to increase their risk of health problems, according to the MDEQ. 

Still, the levels for the surface mulch, known to be of great concern for contact, were encouraging, Markstrom said. The mulch tested for anywhere between 1,400 ppb to 3,000 ppb.

Markstrom also addressed the underground soil arsenic, which had levels higher than the MDEQ criteria, and whether that would cause trouble for the Mill Pond. He said that arsenic typically seeps into a spot in the ground and stays there, but he said testing at deeper levels to be safe could be a possibility.

The City Council also recommended that Markstrom look into the potential of arsenic in the Tridge, the three-way bridge over the Mill Pond, which City Manager Dana Foster said was built between 1995 and 1997.

On Aug. 24 MDEQ officials will tour the park and meet with the city and Tetra Tech to plan out further action.

Meanwhile, City Council continued its progress to and upkeep that provoked. Council members turned in their requests to city staff to begin the process of making possible budget amendments to re-allocate money toward city services.

The action was mostly a formality, with no official discussion on what city services would be prioritized. However, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Bohn gave some of his suggestions, including road and sidewalk repairs and replacement of police vehicles. City Manager Dana Foster said he and his staff will work on possible proposals to amend the budget and have them before Council sometime in September.

In other action by Council:

• After a lengthy call to the public and numerous citizens' inquiries, Councilmember Jim Muzzin motioned to have the city staff look into cutting one of the two call to the public opportunities during meetings. The motion was also looking into establishing if citizens can relinquish their five minute allowance to another person, which allows that recipient to speak longer and is often permitted by the Council. The motion was approved unanimously.
• Agreed to let the police enforce the no-smoking zone in the Municipal Pavilion and Imagination Station. Signs had been put up two weeks ago.
• Approved a recommendation from the Principal Shopping District board to use the vacant vendor's booth in the Municipal Pavilion as a concession stand run by a local business owner. The idea, proposed by owner Keith Karp, is designed to keep an adult presence in the Pavilion, which he said often has "riff-raff" types of people occupying the space.
• City Manager Dana Foster also announced his first public information meeting regarding his presentation on the Capital Improvements Funding Bond that he is proposing to put on the ballot for Brighton voters in 2012. The meeting will be held Aug 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the