Frequently Asked Questions about the results from Soil Sampling of Vashon-Maury Island and Mainland Coastline of Southern King County

	What is the problem and why is it important?
	What is the history and context?
	What is Public Health's Role?
	What are the important findings from the soil tests?
	What is arsenic and lead and how do they affect my health?
	What are the precautions I should take?

• What is the problem?
  Public Health - Seattle and King County has found higher than normal amounts of arsenic and lead in the soil on portions of Vashon-Maury Island as well as at sites along the mainland shoreline of King County between West Seattle and the southern King County line.
  
  
• Why is this important?
  Arsenic and lead can have serious effects on your health and on the health of your children. By understanding the problem and taking a measured preventive response, you can decrease the risk of exposure to your family and yourself.

• Where did the arsenic and lead come from?
  From 1890 through 1986, a copper smelter operated on the shores of Commencement Bay in Ruston, just south of the southern tip of Vashon Island. As a byproduct of producing usable copper, arsenic and lead emissions from the facility were released into the air.
  
  
• How did the arsenic and lead get in the soil?
  Because of the wind patterns, some of the arsenic and lead emissions were carried northward and deposited on Vashon-Maury Island as well as on parts of the mainland in King County.
  
  
• Why is there concern now?
  After the disclosure last year of elevated levels of arsenic and lead at the Lone Star Northwest Mine site, Vashon-Maury Island residents, Public Health, and other agencies raised new questions about soil contamination on the islands.

• What has Public Health done about this problem?
  Public Health responded to the concerns of Vashon-Maury Island residents by forming a work group with representatives from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and community groups.
  
  The work group designed a study to determine the level of arsenic, lead, and cadmium contamination on Vashon-Maury Island. In the last several months the study has been carried out by Public Health with grant funds from the Ecology.
  
  Public Health has also tested sites along the shoreline of the mainland from West Seattle to the southern King County line.
  
  
• Is the study completed?
  With the release of the final report on July 26, 2000, this initial soil sample study is completed. Public Health, with an additional grant from Ecology, will continue investigating the extent of arsenic and lead contamination in soils on Vashon-Maury Island and some mainland sites.
  
  
• What else is Public Health doing?
  Public Health is making the final report and related information widely available. You may either access the final report online by clicking here or request a hard copy by sending an email by clicking here. If you're requesting a hard copy, please be sure to include your full mailing address.
  
  The report is also available at these library locations:
  • Boulevard Park
    12015 Roseburg S.
    Phone: (206) 242-8662
    
    
  • Des Moines
    21620 11th South
    Phone: (206) 824-6066
    
    
  • White Center
    11220 16th S.W.
    Phone: (206) 243-0233
    
    
  • Federal Way Regional Library
    35200 1st Way So
    Phone: (253) 838-3668
    

Public Health has also established at Hotline at (206) 296-4692 for King County residents to call with concerns and questions.

• What are the important findings from the soil tests?
  Preliminary results from the Public Health study indicate higher than normal amounts of arsenic and lead in the soil on portions of Vashon-Maury Island as well as at sites along the mainland shoreline of King County between West Seattle and the southern King County line.
  
  
• How serious is this?
  Arsenic and lead are naturally occurring metals and, at normal levels in the soil, do not typically pose a risk to humans. When soil concentrations of arsenic and lead increase beyond normal amounts, the risk of unhealthy exposure also increases. This is not a health emergency like an outbreak of E.coli, salmonella, or hepatitis. The concern from the preliminary analysis of these data is for possible long-term, low-dose exposure to these metals.
  
  
• What is the normal range for arsenic and lead in soil?
  For the state of Washington, recent soil studies show a "background", or naturally occurring, level of arsenic in the soil is typically below 7 parts per million. For lead, the "background" level is typically below 24 parts per million.
  
  
• What levels of arsenic and lead have been found at the test sites?
  We found arsenic concentrations that ranged from "Not Detectable" to 460 parts per million. We found lead concentrations that ranged from "Not Detectable" to 1,300 parts per million. The concentration levels found can vary by several hundred percent, even over distances of as little as 50 feet.
  
  
• Were some areas more contaminated than others?
  The highest concentrations of arsenic and lead were found at sites in South Vashon-Maury Vashon Island. The next highest concentrations of arsenic and lead were found at sites on the mainland coastline, followed by sites on North Vashon Island. At each location, multiple samples were taken.
  
  
• What areas were tested?
  Public Health tested several carefully selected locations around Vashon-Maury Island as well as along the mainland shoreline of King County from West Seattle to the southern King County line.
  
  
• What type of soil was tested?
  To this point, the sampling has only been done on undisturbed soil in forested areas where the concentrations of these contaminants are likely to be the highest. Levels of arsenic and lead appear to be higher in soil that has not been moved or tilled.

• What is arsenic?
  Arsenic is a naturally occurring element. Pure arsenic is a gray metal-like material that is usually found in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine and sulfur. Arsenic combined with these elements is called inorganic arsenic. Arsenic combined with carbon and hydrogen is called organic arsenic. Understanding the difference between inorganic and organic arsenic is important because the organic forms are usually less harmful than the inorganic forms. For more information, please call the Hazard Hotline at (206) 296-4692 or visit Public Health's website at www.metrokc.gov/health/tsp/arsenic.htm.
  
  
• What is lead?
  Lead is a naturally occurring element. Lead is a dense, bluish-gray metallic element that was one of the first known metals. Metallic lead is a soft, malleable, ductile metal. Lead ranks about 36th in natural abundance among elements in the earth's crust. For more information, please see the Arsenic and Lead Fact Sheet. For more information, please call the Hazard Hotline at (206) 296-4692 or visit Public Health's website at www.metrokc.gov/health/tsp/lead.htm.
  
  
• How can arsenic affect my health?
  If you are exposed to arsenic, many factors determine whether you will be harmed. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must also consider the other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health.
  
  If you swallow low levels of inorganic arsenic, you may experience irritation of your stomach and intestines, with symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other effects you might experience from swallowing arsenic include decreased production of red and white blood cells, which may cause fatigue; abnormal heart rhythm; blood-vessel damage resulting in bruising; and impaired nerve function causing a "pins and needles" sensation in your hands and feet. It is unlikely that the soil concentrations found in Vashon-Maury Island and the adjacent coastal mainland of King County could cause these health effects.
  
  Perhaps the single most characteristic effect of long-term oral exposure to inorganic arsenic is a pattern of skin changes. These include a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small "corns" or "warts" on the palms, soles and torso. These skin changes are not considered to be a health concern in their own right, but a small number of corns may ultimately develop into skin cancer. Swallowing arsenic has also been reported to increase the risk of cancer in the liver, bladder, kidneys and lungs.
  
  Almost no information is available on the effects of organic arsenic compounds in humans. Studies in animals show that most organic arsenic compounds are less toxic than the inorganic forms.
  
  
• How can lead affect my health?
  If you are exposed to lead, many factors determine whether you will be harmed. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must also consider the other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health.
  
  Lead taken internally in any of its forms is toxic; the effects are usually felt after it has accumulated in the body over a period of time. Children are especially at risk from lead. Long-term low-level exposure to lead in children may reduce intelligence, delay motor development, impair memory, and cause hearing problems and troubles in balance.
  
  
• How do arsenic and lead get from the soil into the body?
  The primary way is through soil and dust getting into your mouth during play, gardening, or other work that involves touching or moving the soil, such as digging holes for fence posts or using a leaf blower that stirs up dust.
  
  
• Are children more vulnerable to arsenic and lead?
  Children are more likely than adults to be exposed to arsenic and lead in soils and dust. Pre-school children are the most vulnerable because:
  
  

• There is an increased likelihood that pre-school children playing in the soil will place their hands or objects in their mouths; and
  
  
• There is an increased likelihood that pre-school children will have nutritional gaps in their diet that could result in increased lead and arsenic absorption.

• Should I test my soil for arsenic and lead levels?
  The preliminary findings from the current study are not necessarily specific to individual parcels of land, but instead they begin to give us a community-wide picture of risk. You may want to test your soil to determine the levels of arsenic and lead on your own property.
  
  If you choose to test your soil, follow the test protocol attached to this report. Be sure to use a laboratory certified by Ecology. You may contact Ecology by calling (425) 649-7000.
  
  
• Should I test my family and myself for exposure to arsenic and lead?
  If you think that you or your family have been exposed to high levels of arsenic, consult your doctor about appropriate testing options. These tests may indicate your exposure to arsenic and do not indicate possible health effects from exposure.
  
  If you think that your child aged 6 years of age or younger has been exposed to lead, also consult your doctor about appropriate testing. We recommend that you contact your health provider about lead testing if:

• You have tested your soil where your child plays and the concentration is greater than 353 ppm of lead in soil; or if
• You believe your child has been exposed to other sources of lead.
  
  

• What should I do to protect my children?
  • Children should not play in bare soil that is contaminated with arsenic or lead. As an interim preventative measure, bare soil where children play should be covered with grass, gravel, or woodchips.
    
    
  • Encourage your children to wash their hands and faces after playing outdoors.
    
    
  • Damp mop and dust your house frequently to reduce your child's contact with dust.
    
    
  • Minimize children's exposure to hobbies that use lead (e.g., hobbies that involve the use of lead soldering or painting).
    
    
  • Make sure your child eats a well-balanced diet. Children who have enough iron and calcium in their diet, as well as a low fat diet, are less likely to absorb lead from their environment.
    
    
  • Maintain the painted surfaces in your home (if it was built prior to 1980) to avoid exposure to lead paint chips and dust.
    
    
• Are children safe at parks and schools?
  Levels of arsenic and lead appear to be higher in soil that has not been moved or tilled. Exposure is less likely in areas covered with grass, chips, paving or gravel. Soil testing is recommended for play areas where children may come in contact with bare soil.
  
  
• What about fruits and vegetables produced in the potentially affected areas?
  The primary concern with fruits and vegetables is taking in soil that might be on the produce. This can be avoided through careful washing.
  
  Some range of opinion continues about the safety of food grown in soils with elevated levels of arsenic and lead. Some experts say that most studies indicate there is very little uptake by plants of lead and arsenic, and suggest that the human health risk of consuming properly washed and prepared vegetable crops is extremely low or nonexistent. Others say that the exceptions to this generalization signal the need for some continued concern, because the method of uptake is not completely known.
  
  Several levels of precaution are possible for gardeners:

  First, soil intended for garden use should be tested for arsenic and lead. If you are gardening on contaminated soils, the Washington State University Agricultural Extension Bulletin EB 1884 recommends the following:

• Wash garden crops with water before bringing them into the house.
  
  
• Once produce is inside, wash it again carefully with edible soap or detergent and a scrub brush to remove any remaining soil particles.
  
  
• Pare root and tuber crops (such as potatoes, carrots and radishes) and discard the peelings.
  
  
• Maintain soils containing both lead and arsenic at pH7 to minimize plant uptake of both elements.
  
  

• Is there something I can do right now for my soil?
  Public Health is currently researching the recommended actions people can take for contaminated soil and will release that information after consultation with experts. At this point, the Washington State Department of Ecology advises against tilling solely for remediation purposes.
  
  As precautionary measures, gardeners may also consider:
  
  

• Building raised beds using low lead and arsenic soil. Test the new container or bedding soil for lead and arsenic content before using it.
  
  
• Growing only ornamental plants.
  
  

• Can I eat shellfish from the affected areas?
  There is no increased health risk associated with eating shellfish that comes from the potentially affected areas. While some shellfish may build up small amounts of arsenic in their tissues, most is in a form that is not toxic to humans.
  
  
• Is my groundwater safe?
  Groundwater in these areas is likely to be safe because lead and arsenic moves through soil slowly. Ongoing state studies have not identified arsenic or lead in well-water on Maury/Vashon Island.
  
  
• What about my pets and livestock?
  At this time, the risks associated with arsenic and lead exposure to animals is unclear. As a general precaution, keep animals away from contaminated, bare soil.
  
  To protect your family, it is particularly important to keep household pets away from contaminated, bare soil. These pets can bring the soil into your home and possibly expose family members to contaminants.

VII. NEXT STEPS

• Public Health has received additional grant funding from Ecology in the amount of $1.5 million to continue investigating the extent of arsenic and lead contamination in soils on Vashon and Maury Islands as well as at some sites on the King County mainland.
  
  
• Public Health has and will continue to work with local health care providers to assure that they have the information they need to assist King County residents with arsenic and lead health concerns.
  
  
• Public Health will develop and implement a plan to promote effective community input and agency outreach for the residents on Vashon-Maury Island. The plan will be developed with the community and reviewed by them.
  
  
• Public Health, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), is reviewing health statistics from death certificates and cancer incidence for relevant health outcomes to respond to expected public concern. We expect that this analysis will only be able to detect extremely high levels of risk, if they exist. The analysis is in progress and will be released by end of August, 2000.
  
  
• Public Health and DOH are collaborating on evaluating additional health studies for Vashon-Maury Island. Public Health has already met with DOH, and researchers at the University of Washington and the EPA, and we are currently planning on providing a fact sheet on the usefulness of arsenic biological monitoring measures for concerned residents.