Detroit lags on toxic demo dirt testing, puts more protocols in place

March 6, 2026

Detroit's Construction and Demolition Department has announced new safeguards for its demolition program after discovering contaminated backfill dirt containing neurotoxins and carcinogens at demolition sites throughout the city. The city now suspects soil contamination at over 600 locations, significantly more than the roughly 500 sites initially identified, but has fallen behind its March testing deadline due to winter weather delays and now aims to complete testing by late May. The contamination involves two companies—Gayanga and Iron Horse—that are under investigation by police and state environmental officials for potentially using unapproved dirt sources rather than clean material.

Who is affected

Detroit residents living within 400 feet of contaminated demolition sites
Residents of occupied homes flanking contaminated sites
Owners of 125 privately owned properties requiring testing consent
Gayanga Company (Detroit-based demolition contractor)
Iron Horse (Milford Township-based backfill supplier)
Three other demolition contractors who received material from Iron Horse
Mayor Mary Sheffield's administration
Former Mayor Mike Duggan
Tim Palazzolo, Director of Construction and Demolition Department

What action is being taken

The Construction and Demolition Department is distributing informational flyers to homes within 400 feet of flagged lots
The city is sourcing backfill dirt only from approved native/virgin material sites
Monthly inspections of backfill source sites are being conducted
Testing and dirt removal is ongoing (completed at 63 locations as of the article date)
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is investigating Iron Horse
The Detroit Police Department is investigating Gayanga for potential fraud
The Office of Inspector General is investigating, in cooperation with the Construction and Demolition Department

Why it matters

This contamination scandal poses serious public health risks, as neurotoxins and carcinogens like lead and arsenic have been found above state environmental guidelines at sites near occupied homes. The scale of the problem has grown significantly, affecting over 600 locations across a demolition program that has torn down approximately 27,000 houses since 2014, raising questions about how many residents may have been unknowingly exposed to hazardous materials. The inadequacy of testing protocols—which don't include topsoil testing and cover only a fraction of sites handled by implicated contractors—suggests the full extent of contamination and health impacts may still be unknown, undermining public trust in the city's demolition oversight.

What's next

The city plans to complete testing by late May (revised from the initial March deadline)
Testing of 125 privately owned properties requires obtaining owners' consent
Test results will be made available through an interactive status map with QR codes
The demolition program is winding down with approximately 240 houses remaining on the demolition list as of late December

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com