|
Ecology home >
Toxics Cleanup Program >
Sites >
Dirt Alert >
TSP > Studies & Maps
> Sources of Contamination
Sources of Contamination
On May 12, 2004, Ecology named Asarco, Inc. as the potentially liable person
for the Tacoma Smelter Plume contamination.
 Ecology evaluated information as to the possible source or sources of the
regional-scale contamination, and compiled this information in a Credible
Evidence Report. Ecology reviewed several factors, including:
- Pathways – there is a reasonable pathway from the smelter operations
to regional soil contamination
- Spatial patterns – the pattern of arsenic and lead contamination is
closely linked to wind patterns and distance from the smelter
- Trace Element Patterns – other metals released from the smokestack are
found with arsenic and lead, and found to be closely correlated with the arsenic
and lead concentrations
- Consistency with Other Smelter Studies – the contamination patterns are
very similar to those seen around other smelters worldwide
- Absence of Other High-Emissions Sources – the Tacoma smelter appears to be
the dominant regional source for arsenic in Puget Sound; no other source can be
identified with regional-scale impacts.
Published Reports
The information is documented in the following reports:
|
