THE TACOMA SMELTER PLUME (TSP) PROJECT
The Kitsap County
Health District (Health District) is working with the Washington State
Department of Ecology (Ecology) to sample and analyze Kitsap County soils for
the presence of arsenic and lead above naturally occurring values. This soil assessment project is designed to
determine if heavy metal soil contamination has occurred in Kitsap County.
BACKGROUND
Arsenic, lead, and other metals were released into the environment from
the Tacoma ASARCO copper smelter, which operated from 1890 to 1986 in north
Tacoma. The air pollution that came out of the smelter’s smokestack traveled
with the wind and settled onto the soil in much of the Puget Sound Basin.
Kitsap County soils are suspected to have been contaminated by air
emissions from the former smelter. Impacts
from the smelter have been already been found in King and Pierce Counties. Additional sampling of other downwind areas, including Kitsap and
Thurston Counties, is being conducted to determine the extent of soil contamination,
otherwise known as the Tacoma Smelter Plume site. This project is funded through Ecology’s Remedial
Action Grant program.
Click
here to view the TSP footprint fact sheet
KITSAP COUNTY STUDY
The purpose of the
TSP work in Kitsap County is to further delineate the area which may have
been impacted by the Tacoma Smelter Plume and make recommendations to Kitsap
County residents based on the study findings.
The Kitsap County study area includes southeastern Kitsap County east
to Puget Sound, and north to the northern end of Bainbridge Island. The Health District selected 54 property parcel
locations for sampling sites based on spatial distribution and site selection
criteria. Because the contaminants
were deposited on soil from the air, the sampling occurred in forested areas
assumed to have the least disturbed soils. Undisturbed soils were expected to have the
highest concentrations of arsenic and lead.
At each specified property
identified in our sampling plan, the Health District collects about eight
(8) ounces of soil from two different locations. All samples are tested for arsenic and lead.
WHAT WE HAVE FOUND
Through
May 31, 2004, the Health District has completed sampling of 39 out of 54 TSP
sampling locations identified in the Kitsap County study area.
The Health District sampling results show arsenic levels above natural
background values in the Kitsap County study area, the levels are not
an immediate health risk or concern.
The highest arsenic level measured in Kitsap County was 37 ppm.
For comparison purposes, the highest concentrations of arsenic detected
in Pierce County and on Vashon Island were 1,050 ppm and 460 ppm, respectively. In Kitsap County, no lead levels were found to be above the level
of concern.
Click
here to view the Kitsap
County TSP arsenic values
map
WHAT
WE RECOMMEND
·
No action is
required at this time. Soil removal is not necessary.
·
Follow basic practices
to minimize possible exposure to heavy metals in soil including, but not
limited to:
¨
Wash hands and face before eating and after working
or playing in soil. Use a scrub brush
to clean dirt from under your nails.
¨
Wash fruits, vegetables, and root crops before
eating them.
¨
Use raised garden beds constructed with
arsenic-free materials. Fill them with
clean soil.
¨
Cover bare patches of soil with a ground cover such
as grass, gravel or wood/mulch product.
¨
Pets often walk, roll and lie down in dirt and soil
and then track it inside on their fur and paws.
¨
Vacuum several times a week. Use a bag designed to
filter allergens or a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor) filter.
¨ Remove shoes before entering the house. Place a wipe-off mat outside entrances.
·
For more information about the historical studies,
overall study information, and other guidance information visit the Ecology
TSP web site.
·
Visit the Tacoma-Pierce
County Health Department’s 
website.
· The Health District can also mail a copy of the guidelines to residents who do not have access to the internet. Please call the Health District’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Program at (360) 337-5245 for a copy of the guidelines.