Dirt Alert - Studies & Maps


Tacoma Smelter Plume -  Studies

Footprint Studies:

2000 Vashon-Maury Island – Undisturbed Area Study - examines forested properties.
2002 Mainland King County Preliminary Study - finds elevated arsenic and lead levels
Fact Sheet
2002 Pierce County Footprint Study - finds results consistent with King County studies.
2005 Extended Footprint Study provides updated maps of the extent of soil pollution around the central Puget Sound region.


Child Use Area Studies:

2001 Vashon-Maury Island Child-use Area Study - tests play areas at 34 schools, childcares, parks and camps.
2002 Dockton Park Resample Study - follows up the Vashon-Maury Island Study.
2003 Mainland King County Child-use Area Study - finds elevated arsenic and lead at about 10% of play areas tested.
Pierce County Child-use Area Study - finds elevated arsenic and lead at about 30% of play areas tested.
Vashon-Maury Island School District Child-use Area Resample -  finds lower arsenic and lead levels at schools testing a method for reducing soil pollution.

Other Studies:

2001 Survey of Typical Soils Arsenic Concentrations in Residential Areas of the City of University Place
2004 Sources of Contamination -  links regional arsenic and lead pollution to Asarco's Tacoma smelter.