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WHAT ECOLOGY IS DOING: Ecology has given $7.5 million in grants to the local health departments in King, Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston counties for the testing of school and childcare playgrounds where soil was contaminated by Tacoma’s Asarco Smelter. Ecology has also worked with school districts in Central Washington to test and clean-up contaminated soils.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you live in an area that may have been affected, you can sample the soil in areas where children play. If the soil is contaminated, don’t let children play in it. Consider either covering or replacing the soil. You can also fence or close off the area. Other things you can do:
More information about gardening in soils contaminated by lead and arsenic.
More information about Dirt Alert, Ecology's Soil Safety program.
Remember...It All Adds Up
DID YOU KNOW? In 2005, the Legislature passed a law to keep children safe from polluted soil.
WHAT ECOLOGY IS DOING: Ecology developed the Soil Safety Program, which provides free soil testing and soil safety actions for schools and childcares affected by pollution from the Tacoma Asarco Smelter.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you live in an area that may have been affected, you can sample the soil in areas where children play. If the soil is contaminated, consider either covering or replacing the soil. You can also fence or close off the area. Other things you can do:
More information about Dirt Alert, Ecology's Soil Safety program.
Remember...It All Adds Up
DID YOU KNOW? The Soil Safety Program provides free soil testing and free design assistance, labor and materials to put soil actions in place at schools and childcares with arsenic and lead above state standards.
WHAT ECOLOGY IS DOING: Ecology has given grants totaling $7.5 million for the testing of school and childcare playgrounds where soil was contaminated by Tacoma’s Asarco Smelter.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you live in the Soil Safety Program service area, make sure that your school or childcare is working with the Program to have the soil tested. If the soil has lead or arsenic hazards then the school or childcare will need to follow a Soil Safety Action plan.
Remember...It All Adds Up
DID YOU KNOW? On average, homeowners use ten times more chemical fertilizers and pesticides per acre than farmers use on farmland. Outdated, unused, misapplied and discarded pesticides are a significant source of environmental contamination. Many of these are poisons applied to the lawn or garden. Small children and pets are likely to play on lawns and can breathe or ingest these poisons or absorb them through their skin. Because they are still developing, young children are particularly vulnerable to nerve or developmental damage from some of these toxins.
WHAT ECOLOGY IS DOING: Ecology supports Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. IPM is an effective and environmentally sound approach to controlling pests. Pests are living things (plants, animals or insects) that can damage human health or property, or cause a significant nuisance. IPM is a decision-making process that uses a variety of methods (physical, mechanical, biological and chemical) to hold pests at acceptable levels.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Have your soil tested. Then you will know which kind of fertilizer to add and how much. Use fertilizer only when rain isn’t expected for at least 24 hours.
Control weeds by hand-pulling or hoeing. Control insects with traps and barriers, hand-picking, or spraying with soapy or jet-stream water. You can also put beneficial insects in your garden (for example, lady bugs or praying mantis) that will prey on the pests.
If you do use a chemical, select the least toxic possible or those that break down quickly into less harmful substances.
Check with your child's school or childcare to make sure they use yard and garden products safely.
More information about pesticides.
Learn about integrated pest management (IPM) - the best control methods to manage pests with the least effect to people, pets and the environment.
More information from King County's EcoConsumer program and tips for purchasing environmentally friendly products.
Remember...It All Adds Up
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
