Industrial air emissions and pesticides used in farming have polluted large areas of soil in Washington with arsenic and lead. This type of pollution, called area-wide soil contamination, puts many of our communities at risk. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can be harmful to human health and children are especially vulnerable. Learn about soil contamination and how to protect yourself and your family with Dirt Alert!

Where the soil contamination is and what is being done
 

The Department of Ecology is working with communities, local health departments, and other government agencies to reduce exposure to polluted soils in several parts of Washington.

• The Tacoma Smelter Plume covers large areas of Pierce, King, and Thurston counties and puts thousands of children at risk. A 2005 law helped create the Soil Safety Program, which provides soil testing and resources for schools, childcares, and other areas where these children play.

•  2009 Legislative Report

• The Everett Smelter in Snohomish County was sold as residential and commercial land in the 1920s-1930s. Today, this 600-acre site is being cleaned up to protect the community from high levels of lead and arsenic.

• The LeRoi Smelter operated from 1896 to 1921 in Northport, Stevens County. High levels of arsenic and lead pollution in the soil prompted a recent removal action by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• Former orchard lands can have soil pollution from past use of lead arsenate pesticides. Some of the largest affected areas are in central Washington.

• In 2003 the Area-wide Soil Contamination Task Force recommended that a statewide strategy be developed to address arsenic and lead soil contamination. More information can be found in the Area-Wide Toolbox.