New Dearborn Ordinance Aims To Curb Air Pollution In The City

DEARBORN, MI — A new ordinance in Dearborn is designed to reduce the pollution caused by fugitive dust, an issue in industrial areas, including the southern end of Dearborn.

A coalition of residents, elected officials and city staff developed a means to take corrective action against the pollution and improve the quality of life for residents. While the authority to regulate air quality lies with the the state, Dearborn officials said the issue was important enough to take action.

“We are the best advocates for our own residents, and so are covering the gaps in what the State of Michigan should be regulating to improve the health of our community members,” Derborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly said.

Fugitive dust refers to visible particulate emissions created through mechanical processes or natural forces, and comes from a variety of sources such as dust blowing off storage piles, or dust distributed on unpaved roads or lots.

Dust is a major component of particulate pollution and, when inhaled, can cause airway irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing and aggravate asthma, city officials argued. Excessive dust pollution is often a general public nuisance, as it can cause reduced visibility and contribute to haze.

“One of the main air pollution issues has to do with particulate matter,” said David Norwood, the city’s sustainability coordinator. “Those are hard on respiratory systems, especially with regard to children and the elderly.”

Residents in the city's southern end have been particularly affected by air pollution, being near extensive industrial properties in Dearborn, Melvindale and Detroit, officials said.

“We care deeply about our residents and are working as much as we can to reduce pollution to the extent possible,” said Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja, who spearheaded the initiative to develop the ordinance. “We want to ensure all of our residents have a high quality of life.”

Dearborn residents were an essential part of the process to draft the ordinance as well, city authorities said. City Council unanimously approved the ordinance on Aug. 25.

Commercial and industrial entities found in violation of the fugitive dust ordinance will receive a notice of violation and will be given 14 days to correct the violation, according to the city. A ticket will be issued if the problem is not resolved within that time frame.

Violation of the ordinance is a civil infraction punishable by a fine of $500. A repeat violation is punishable as a civil infraction with a fine of $1,000.

Fines collected from enforcement of the ordinance will be placed in a city fund to be used to pay for projects or initiatives designed to address public health, pollution prevention and reduction, and environmental protection and restoration, according to the city.