A warehouse in downtown Belding, Michigan once stored roughly 160,000 cubic feet of World War II-era aircraft parts, including gauges, dials, and propellers painted with radium-226. Radium-226 is a radioactive isotope that emits alpha particles and gamma rays and decays into radon-222, a radioactive gas. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in June 1996 because radium-226 levels inside the building posed serious health threats. Radium-226 dust was found on floors and walls in several large storage areas, and very high radon-222 levels were measured in parts of the building. No contamination was found outside the warehouse.
Both radium-226 and radon-222, found in air, are the contaminants of concern at this site. Health risks come from inhaling or ingesting radium-226 or being exposed to elevated radon gas levels. EPA was also concerned that a fire at the warehouse could spread radium-226 throughout Belding before cleanup finished.
EPA carried out a removal action from January 6, 1997, through November 4, 1997. That work included securing the building and removing radioactive and contaminated items for off-site disposal. A Record of Decision, completed November 4, 1997, selected "No Action" and "No Further Action" as the formal cleanup approach for the site's single operable unit. EPA deleted the site from the NPL on May 21, 1998. The site achieved sitewide ready-for-anticipated-reuse status on June 26, 2006, and the warehouse was returned to H & K Sales for continued use.
Human exposure is currently under control. All cleanup goals for current and reasonably anticipated future land uses have been met. Institutional controls remain in place, including zoning restrictions that bar residential uses and other uses inconsistent with the level of cleanup completed. These controls reduce exposure to any remaining contamination by limiting how the property can be used.
Community members with questions can contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager.
