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Department of Ecology News Release - September 12, 2002
02-174
WENATCHEE - A study of Wenatchee-area schools shows that soils in some areas on school grounds contain elevated levels of lead and arsenic. Some of the schools were built on former orchard lands where arsenic- and lead-containing pesticides were used.
Soil sampling was conducted this summer by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) at the request of the Wenatchee and Eastmont school districts. Levels of lead and arsenic were found to be above state cleanup standards at 10 Wenatchee schools and five Eastmont school sites.
"The levels found in the soil samples do not pose an immediate health threat, but long-term exposure to lead and arsenic is a public health concern," explained Jim White, a toxicologist with the state Department of Health. "We're recommending that children and staff wash their hands when they return from the school yard, and that other personal-hygiene practices be put in place to help reduce the risks of exposure at the schools."
Young children are at greater risk because they tend to swallow more dirt than older children and adults. Also, children below age 6 absorb more of the lead they swallow than do older children and adults. Regular exposure to contaminated soil could slightly increase the risk of developing certain health problems.
The Wenatchee and Eastmont school districts and the Chelan-Douglas Health District are working with the Washington departments of Ecology and Health on long-term cleanup plans to make sure students at the schools are protected.
"We're confident that our children and staff are not at great risk, but we want to make every effort to reduce exposure and risk to our staff and students," said Jon DeJong, Wenatchee deputy superintendent.
Numerous samples were taken in the top six inches of soil throughout the school grounds at elementary, middle, junior and senior high schools in the greater-Wenatchee area.
Moderate levels of lead and arsenic have been found at Columbia, Lewis & Clark, Mission View, Orchard, Pioneer, Sunnyslope, and Wenatchee and Westside high schools. Distinctly higher levels were found in areas at Lincoln and Washington elementary schools. Two newer schools, Foothills and John Newberry, were not part of the study because they were cleaned up when they were first built.
Moderate levels of contaminants were found at fields near the Eastmont district office and the existing Eastmont Junior High School. Sterling, Lee, and Rock Island schools showed low levels of contaminants. Other schools sampled in Eastmont school district that were below levels of concern include Cascade, Grant, Kenroy, and Eastmont Senior High School. Clean-up is occurring during construction at the new Eastmont Junior High School.
"Most of the public-school areas are covered by well-watered lawns that help reduce exposure to the contaminated soil," said Norm Hepner, an environmental engineer with Ecology. "In general, we found the school grounds are managed well, which means there's less of a chance for the soils to be ingested or contacted by children playing in the school yard."
More studies may occur at some of the schools, Hepner noted. In addition, Ecology may assist the school districts with cleanup funds.
For more information on lead and arsenic and how to protect oneself from exposure, people may contact Jim W. White, Washington State Department of Health, 360-236-3192. Information also is available on-line at http://www.cdhd.wa.gov/. Information also can be obtained at the Department of Ecology web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/area_wide/area_wide_hp.html.
Soil-sampling data is available at the school districts or by contacting Norm Hepner at 509-457-7127. Media contacts: Joye Redfield-Wilder, Washington State Department of Ecology, 509-575-2610Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
