Ecology To Hold Open House Nov. 16 On Tacoma Smelter Plume

The Washington state Department of Ecology will hold an open house Nov. 16 to share a cleanup plan for the Tacoma Smelter Plume.

The department plans to include University Place in a yard sampling and cleanup program for a portoin 1,000-square-mile area affected by the smelter via arsenic and lead soil contamination.

The program will start in Ruston and North Tacoma areas, but it probably won't reach University Place until the end of the 10-year project. Still, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department can test the soil in your yard sooner. Call 253-798-3503 or e-mail DirtAlert@tpchd.org. They can also give you advice on how to reduce exposure to contaminated soils.

Here's the information for the Nov. 16 meeting

WHAT: Tacoma Smelter Plume Cleanup Plan open house.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 16.

WHERE: cafeteria, 8425 40th St. W.

WHAT ELSE: For more information about the plume, visit the department's website by clicking here.

Here was Mayor Debbie Klosowski's in September:

For close to 100 years, the Asarco Tacoma Smelter emitted arsenic, lead and other heavy metals into the air. These windborne emissions contaminated more than 1,000 square miles covering four counties and 26 cities and towns, including University Place.

Since the smelter’s designation as an EPA Superfund site in 1983, efforts have been underway to clean up heavily contaminated soils.

According to Cynthia Walker, State Dept. of Ecology (DOE) project manager, exposure to high levels of arsenic can contribute to cancer and cardio vascular diseases while high exposure to lead is linked to neurological and developmental problems. Since 2000, the DOE and Pierce County Health Department have worked on education campaigns regarding handwashing and other measures along with providing free soil sampling and clean up at play areas at existing and new schools, childcares, parks and similar areas. 

Right now, a 10-year plan is underway to develop a voluntary sampling and remediation program for residential areas which contain high levels of arsenic contamination.

According to Ms. Walker, an estimated 6,450 parcels in UP may contain high levels of contamination or over 100 parts per million of arsenic. Since contamination levels can vary based on wind flow, topography, age of housing developments and other factors, DOE is trying to focus on areas which are likely to contain the highest levels of contamination.  Targeted mailings will then be sent to various neighborhoods in late 2012 to determine if residents would like to voluntarily participate in FREE soil sampling and potential clean up efforts. For more information, please contact the Pierce County Health Department or Cynthia Walker at Cynthia.Walker@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6245 or http://www.dirtalert.info.