Cloudiness in Grassy Creek water inside Perrysburg came from dust suppressant spill

A creek that flows in the Maumee River has been polluted by a suspected cancer-causing dust suppressant.

Grassy Creek’s cloudy discoloration was reported to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s emergency response section on Monday morning by city of Perrysburg officials.

The discolored area involves a two-mile stretch in the vicinity of Eckel Junction Road.

The spill originated at the White Ford Kenworth — Perrysburg truck dealership at 12650 Eckel Junction Rd., Dina Pierce, Ohio EPA spokesman, said.

“The company recently applied a binding chemical to its gravel parking lot to control dust,” Ms. Pierce said. “It then migrated into a storm sewer that drains to the creek.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is investigating for any fish kills or other wildlife impacts. No additional information was immediately available from that agency.

“We found the source and contained it and aeration has been underway since yesterday afternoon,” Marie Dunn, Perrysburg spokesman, said.

Lauren Rush, Perrysburg stormwater program technician, said the dust suppressant was applied by Toledo-based Cousco Brown, 111 Burbank Dr., at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Perrysburg officials began receiving calls from concerned citizens at 9 a.m. Monday, she said.

Grassy Creek flows through Perrysburg to Rossford, where it connects to the Maumee.

The Maumee is western Lake Erie’s largest tributary.

That section of the creek is in prominent view of Perrysburg residents, Ms. Rush said.

“We really appreciate it when our citizens pay attention to local waterways,” she said.

Cousco Brown said it has been advised by its attorney to decline comment “while resolving the situation.”

A required Safety Data Sheet that Cousco Brown supplied to officials states that the suppressant “may cause cancer.” Handlers must wear protective gloves and clothing and consider it a poisonous substance, the document states.

The dust suppressant has heavy petroleum-based ingredients and solvents in it. Hazardous gases can be formed if it catches fire, according to the document.

The spill has been contained, and cleanup is underway, Ms. Pierce said.

“The stormwater pipe has been plugged to prevent additional discharge,” she said. “Cleanup includes cleaning out the storm sewer before more storms arrive.”