EPA officials in Chicago are reacting to the finding of the contamination in the river, which is at levels that are much higher than previously found near Dow facilities.

What really caught the EPA's attention was our story that aired Tuesday showing people fishing for walleye in the area where that hot spot was found.

Dr. Milton Clark is with the EPA.

"It was approximately 50 times higher than a level that had previously been found in the Saginaw River, and roughly 20 times higher than a hot spot found in the Tittabawassee River," he said.

In fact, it was higher than at hot spots at three locations along the Tittabawassee River.

Dow Chemical says it has completed cleanup work at two of the locations, and about 80 percent has been done at a location near its facility.

While Dow says the finding in the Saginaw River was a surprise, officials say it is not an immediate threat to human health or the environment.

"We think some of their remarks tended to minimize that very real concern about dioxin toxicity and the high level that was found," said Anne Rowan of the EPA.

Rowan says the public shouldn't be alarmed over the finding, but says she is concerned after seeing people fish in that area of the river.

"Certainly reports that there is fishing out there only heightens our sense that we need to be as asserted as we can, that people have accurate information," Rowan said.

"Even though there may not be an advisory on the walleye, there are dioxins in the walleye at low levels," Clark said.

Dow Chemical says it wants to work with the EPA and the Department of Environmental Quality to remove the sampled contaminated soil as soon as possible.

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