"Arsenic and lead are among the contaminants found at dozens of Detroit neighborhood demolition sites, according to the first round of test results released by the city late last month amid state and local investigations — at least one criminal — into potentially toxic dirt used as backfill across hundreds of vacant lots.
The chemicals are carcinogens and neurotoxins that can be hazardous to human health through prolonged and consistent physical contact — such as when land is regularly used for gardening or children play in it for years, experts said.
But as the city tests more than 500 sites connected to demolition contractor Gayanga and dirt supplier Iron Horse — vowing to remove and replace all soil contaminated above state guidelines — questions remain about whether Detroit officials have ordered adequate testing and sufficiently communicated the risk to residents."
Violet Ikonomova reports for the Detroit Free Press January 12, 2026.
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