On December 2, 1987, the State of Michigan filed a complaint against Allied Paper and SCM Corporation to stop the release of hazardous substances into the Kalamazoo River and to pay for the cleanup costs. Due to the high levels of PCB contaminants, the EPA considers the Kalamazoo River, in Michigan, a superfund site. Interestingly enough, some of the pollutants were introduced into the river by the company’s process for recycling carbonless paper. Right now, dredging is the most common (yet controversial way) to clean up polluted sediments in rivers. Scientists at Western Michigan University are looking into alternate means to treat the Kalamazoo River before policy makers make final decisions about the river's future. David Clements, producer of the “Be Connected” Technology Series has more.

Dredging was the choosen option for cleaning New York's Hudson River. Nearby residents have had mixed emotions about dredging and General Electric, the company charged with the cleanup, has raised questions about the technique as well. This story by WAMC's Mark Brodie looks at some of the complicated issues associated with dredging the Hudson River.

The work of Dr. Hampton, Dr. Ide, and the other researchers involved at Western Michigan University's Enviornmnetal Institute could not only have an impact on the treament of the Kalamazoo River, but could also change the way toxic chemicals in riverbed sediment are treated across the country.