Burien News recently posted a story about opportunities to get soil tested for lead and arsenic by the Washington State Department of Ecology. If you missed the first date, there is a second opportunity to test local soil samples on May 17, from 9am to 3pm, in Federal Way at the Farmer’s Market, 1701 S. 320th Street, Federal Way 98003.
Here is a report on the first soil testing event on April 26 at the Shark Garden in White Center.
The bottom line
Only a handful of the 60 samples people brought for testing are anywhere close to cleanup levels. Of the few that were a concern, it appears the source is not the Asarco smelter but something else. For example, some samples contained lead paint that had flaked off wood.
Arsenic and Lead are only part of local contamination
This testing is only for two contaminants and is testing the individual levels. As JC Harris of Seatac Noise Info mentioned in a conversation, there are a lot of other pollutants in the region, especially near the airport. These include ultrafine particles, PFAS, and more. He pointed out that obtaining readings on individual substances like arsenic and lead is just a starting point. We also need to understand the cumulative impacts of all these pollutants together over long periods of exposure. When it comes to public health, it may be that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Background on the testing
Representatives from the state Department of Ecology outlined how the Superfund cleanup process has worked in the 1000 square mile area impacted by the smelter. Over the decades, they tested for pollutants, outlined the areas most affected, and then focused on those places with high risks for children and other vulnerable groups.
In some cases, cleanup was required, but in many others, sealing the contaminants with layers of dirt or gravel is sufficient. Also, many parts of the 1000-square-mile area had been disturbed by human activity during the time the smelter was in operation. If someone built a building, road, or other item, then the contaminants already in place were covered in that process.
Background and findings for arsenic
For arsenic, the level is 7 to 10 parts per million. If the level is above 24 ppm, then it is considered risky.
I brought in three samples. They tested at 28, 11 and 29 ppm. One is from a location where there’s a chance some people could be walking or doing community service cleanups. I am notifying the appropriate groups that they should recommend volunteers wear protective items like gloves and boots (or shoes) that can be washed off. Putting down a little additional soil or gravel would also be worth considering.
Background and findings for lead
For lead, the natural level is 24 ppm. The cleanup level is 200 ppm. The locations I brought in were at 215, 48, and 38 ppm. Similar to the situation with arsenic, caution and care should suffice.
Closing Comments
Areas that are most at risk from elevated levels of arsenic and lead are ones that have not been disturbed for several decades.
If you frequent areas where you think there could be an issue, and you want soil from those areas tested, bring them in a plastic bag, and the testing team will use a type of detector to examine the soil in the bag.
Saturday, May 17
9am to 3pm
Federal Way at the Farmer’s Market
1701 S. 320th Street, Federal Way 98003
The test is “ballpark” (+/- 10 ppm), so it is a starting point, not the final word. Be sure to wash boots, wear gloves, and otherwise be careful with possibly contaminated soil.
April 24 Burien.News article includes a map and a video on soil testing.
