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Department of Ecology News Release - August 22, 2002
02-164
OLYMPIA - Lead and arsenic soil-test results have been sent to 116 property owners in Pierce County in the first round of testing to determine the extent of the contamination from the former Ruston copper smelter.
In January, the state Department of Ecology granted Pierce County $1.65 million to assess the concentration and patterns of the contamination in the county.
"The levels found in these samples should not be an immediate health threat if people take proper precautions, but long-term exposure to the contaminants is a public health concern," said Jim White, a toxicologist with the state Department of Health.
Samples were taken at undisturbed sites and residential properties with homes built before 1970 within the prevailing wind direction of the smelter. The areas were selected because they have the highest likelihood of harboring contaminants.
The 116 property owners each received their own results by letter, but in general, the early results found a range of arsenic of 2.46 parts per million (ppm) to 475 ppm. The state's cleanup standard for arsenic is 20 ppm.
The range of lead found so far is 3.9 ppm to 947 ppm. The state's cleanup standard for lead is 250 ppm.
"The early results show no great surprise. Concentrations can vary greatly over short distances, so no conclusions can be drawn about neighboring properties," said Marian Abbett, who is managing the project for Ecology.
The highest concentrations of arsenic and lead appear to be closer to the smelter and along the southwest prevailing wind direction from the smelter, Abbett said.
"Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is committed to informing all community members of ways to protect themselves from exposure to lead and arsenic," said Steve Marek of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. "The key is to minimize exposure to dust and soil by washing your hands, removing your shoes at the door, and frequently washing your children's toys, bedding and pacifiers." (See "Healthy Actions" in Tacoma-Pierce County's Web site.)
The Tacoma smelter plume covers hundreds of square miles and is the state's largest contaminated site, Abbett said. "It will take many years to assess, make plans and carry out remedies."
The soil sampling is part of a study that will include approximately 200 properties. The study will be complete and a report is planned by next spring.
For more information, visit the Web sites below or contact Glenn Rollins at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, 253-798-3503, or Molly Gibbs at the Department of Ecology, 360-407-6179.
Contact: Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6239; pager,
360-786-3136
Steve Marek, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, 253-798-2955
Ecology's Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/tacoma_smelter/ts_hp.htm
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Web site: (Link removed 07/26/04.)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
