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Department of Ecology News Release - March 19, 2008
08-069
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is working with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) to address lead contamination at a home in a Tacoma neighborhood.
Tests showed that children who lived in the rental house had high blood lead levels. Subsequent site sampling confirmed high levels of lead in and around the home. The family no longer lives at the property, which is subject to a local health district order prohibiting access. State and federal privacy laws restrict the release of additional information without the family’s consent.
“Preventing exposure to lead and lead-poisoning is one of our top priorities because of the known health impacts from lead, especially to children,” said Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department senior manager Steve Marek. “The issuance of a health order to disallow access until the property can be declared safe will prevent anyone else from being harmed from the high levels of lead present on the site.”
The local health department’s initial investigation indicates the contamination stems from a long-time lead-melting operation carried out on the site by the property owner. The state Department of Health (DOH) reviewed soil sample data and available blood lead levels, determined a health risk exists and made recommendations in a draft health consultation.
Ecology and local health are working with the owner to fence the property to protect others from potential lead exposure. Soil samples collected at the home showed lead levels as high as 2,300 parts per million. In Washington, cleanup actions are triggered by lead levels of 250 parts per million or more.
Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program has funds available to help pay for some soil sampling and small-scale soil cleanup where children are most likely at risk of exposure to lead.
“One of Ecology’s top priorities is reducing toxic threats to people and the environment. Lead poses an acute threat to children. We have cleanup programs specifically designed to safeguard children from lead exposure,” said Marian Abbett of Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program.
Ecology and local health staff recently walked the neighborhood to talk with residents about the situation. They provided information on blood lead testing and secured permission to test soil at properties closest to the contaminated home. They also shared practical tips to reduce the risk of harm from dirt that may be contaminated with lead or other chemicals.
Background information
Lead is a highly toxic metal. Once absorbed into the body, it can cause permanent health effects such as behavioral problems and learning disabilities. High exposure can cause seizures and death. Children 6 years old and younger are most at risk because their bodies are growing quickly, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lead is a bigger hazard to children than to adults because:
Even though the United States has taken steps to eliminate lead from products such as gasoline and paint, lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes is still the largest source of exposure for children. Some older homes have lead pipes or copper pipes with lead solder. Many new and existing products contain potentially harmful amounts of lead. And soil can be contaminated from past uses of leaded products or industrial sources like smelters.
A simple blood test can determine whether someone has been exposed to too much lead.
Later this spring, Ecology will introduce a chemical action plan with suggested approaches to further reduce the uses, releases and exposures caused by lead. This draft strategy is part of Ecology’s ongoing efforts to reduce and phase out the uses of harmful chemicals that build up and persist within the environment.
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Contacts:
Marian Abbett, Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program, 360-407-6257
Frank DiBiase, TPCHD, Environmental Health Program, 253-798-7674
Terry Lumsden, family’s attorney, 253-537-4424
Media Contacts:
Kim Schmanke, Ecology communications, 360-407-6239; cell 360-791-9830
Seth Preston, Ecology communications, 360-407-6848; cell 360-584-5744
Department of Health information about lead: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0809034.html
Links to EPA and DOH pages on lead: http://www.epa.gov/lead/ ; http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/Lead/default.htm
Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/cleanup.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
