Toxic Debris Found at Numerous Detroit Demolition Sites Including Northland Shopping Mall
Hundreds of demolition sites across Detroit, including the former Northland Shopping Mall, have been identified as potentially contaminated with toxic debris from demolished structures. The toxins found at these sites are likely to include hazardous substances such as lead, asbestos, mercury, cadmium, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
As of December 29, 2025, 424 sites in Detroit have been identified as potentially contaminated. Testing conducted at 47 of these sites revealed that 42 exceeded pollution thresholds and were deemed unsafe for direct human contact. Additionally, 32% of 50 tested sites exhibited contamination levels above regional background thresholds, which necessitate mandatory environmental cleanup procedures based on risk assessments.
These contaminants pose significant health risks to local residents, including exposure to toxic dust and potential long-term effects such as cancer and cognitive impairments in children. Experts emphasize that exposure to toxins like lead can be harmful even at levels below some established safety thresholds.
Detroit’s demolition program, one of the largest in the United States and costing hundreds of millions of dollars, faces growing challenges due to these environmental concerns. Mayor Mike Duggan has estimated that remediation efforts could cost approximately $18,000 per property, although some experts believe the true cost may be higher. As Duggan prepares to step down to run for governor, Mary Sheffield emerges as a key figure in addressing these continuing environmental and public health issues.
