Thurston County Summary Study (2004)

Arsenic, lead, and other metals were released into the environment from the Asarco copper smelter in Tacoma. Pollution from the smelter’s smokestack traveled with the wind and settled onto the soil in much of the Puget Sound area. ...more

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers to common questions. ...more

Healthy Actions: How to Reduce Contact with Contaminants in Dirt

Guidelines to help you reduce exposure to lead, arsenic, and other contaminants in dirt. ...more

Additional Information and Links

• 2008 Update: Soil Sampling Results [PDF]
• Info for Healthcare Providers [PDF]
• Dirt Alert! Tacoma Smelter Plume ― WA Dept of Ecology
• Dirt Alert: Arsenic and Lead in Soils ― WA Dept of Ecology
• Arsenic in Drinking Water ― Environmental Protection Agency
• Facts on... Lead ― Centers for Disease Control
• Gardening on Lead & Arsenic Contaminated Soils [PDF] ― WA State University Cooperative Extension