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4-Wenachee District Schools:
     Lewis and Clark Elementary
     Lincoln Elementary
     Washington Elementary
     West Side High School  

SITE DESCRIPTIONS

Schools in the Wenatchee School District were sampled for lead and arsenic contamination as part of Ecology’s Area-Wide Soil Contamination Project.

Area-wide soil contamination is defined as contamination above state cleanup levels that is dispersed over a large geographic area. The soil contamination in this case is a result of central Washington’s orchard industry. Much of the region consists of current or former orchard land, where long-term pesticide application has taken its toll. Lead arsenate, a pesticide commonly used between the years of 1905 and 1947 to control the codling moth, has been identified as the primary source of increased lead and arsenic concentrations.

Due to their chemical structure, lead and arsenic tend to bond with soil particles and often remain at or near ground surface level for decades, creating an exposure pathway through inhalation and/or ingestion.

Although lead and arsenic are naturally occurring elements, elevated concentrations have been proven to have a negative impact on human health. Young children are generally more susceptible than adults, which is why Ecology has focused remediation efforts on schools.

Sampling results from the Wenatchee area showed several schools with soil contamination exceeding state cleanup standards. Four Wenatchee area schools were chosen for initial activities due to close proximity between properties and summer break schedule

SITE DOCUMENTS

Fact Sheet

• Lewis and Clark Elementary, F/SID 5045747, 1130 Princeton Avenue, ranked a 3
• Interim Action Report
• No Further Action Determination
• Lincoln Elementary, F/SID 8905363, 1224 Methow Street, ranked a 3
• Interim Action Report
• No Further Action Determination
• Washington Elementary, F/SID 1104071, 1404 Washington Street, ranked a 3
• Interim Action Report
• No Further Action Determination
• West Side High School, F/SID 4267507, 1521 9th Street, ranked a 4
• Interim Action Report
• No Further Action Determination

Related Information

• Watershed Information for WRIA 15

Additional Resources

• Acronyms used by the Toxic Cleanup Program
• Cleanup Process: Major Steps & Definitions
• Data Submittal Requirements for All Cleanup Sites
• Facility/Site Atlas
• Toxics Cleanup publications