Warning signs go up after arsenic found at Burien park
BURIEN, Wash. -- Department of Ecology officials are blaming a long-closed Tacoma smelter for raining down arsenic throughout the south sound, and that has some parents worried.
"Dirt alert" signs were posted Monday at Burien's Dottie Harper Park after moderate amounts of arsenic were found in the soil.
Department of Ecology officials say there's no immediate danger, but that isn't stopping them from hauling away loads of contaminated dirt.
Officials say the arsenic came from the old ASARCO smelter in Tacoma, which has been closed for decades.
Workers have long known that the smelter spewed the poisonous chemical, but the extent of the problems are just now being uncovered.
"We've just recently had funding through the ASARCO settlement account at the end of 2009 and we expanded our soil safety program," said Amy Hargrove of the Department of Ecology.
More signs warning of contaminated dirt will likely go up at other nearby parks, including the Sunset Playfields and McMicken Heights Park in SeaTac.
"The more undeveloped properties like the forest and the woods tend to be where you find it because the lots haven't been developed," Hargrove said.
The news has some residents worried about their kids and pets.
"I worry about him cause he keeps his nose in the ground smelling where every dog has been," said Leona Mottern, who takes her dog to Dottie Harper Park.
Hargrove said the park is still safe, but some parents say they won't take a chance.
"I wouldn't go there if they have signs up," said parent Clarissa Everybodytalksabout. "It's not a risk I'm willing to take with my kids."
Hargrove said as long as people take common sense precautions like washing thoroughly after using the park, the soil won't harm anyone.
"It's not an immediate health threat but it is a long term health concern," she said.
Workers should begin removing the most contaminated soil from the park later this year.
"Dirt alert" signs were posted Monday at Burien's Dottie Harper Park after moderate amounts of arsenic were found in the soil.
Department of Ecology officials say there's no immediate danger, but that isn't stopping them from hauling away loads of contaminated dirt.
Officials say the arsenic came from the old ASARCO smelter in Tacoma, which has been closed for decades.
Workers have long known that the smelter spewed the poisonous chemical, but the extent of the problems are just now being uncovered.
"We've just recently had funding through the ASARCO settlement account at the end of 2009 and we expanded our soil safety program," said Amy Hargrove of the Department of Ecology.
More signs warning of contaminated dirt will likely go up at other nearby parks, including the Sunset Playfields and McMicken Heights Park in SeaTac.
"The more undeveloped properties like the forest and the woods tend to be where you find it because the lots haven't been developed," Hargrove said.
The news has some residents worried about their kids and pets.
"I worry about him cause he keeps his nose in the ground smelling where every dog has been," said Leona Mottern, who takes her dog to Dottie Harper Park.
Hargrove said the park is still safe, but some parents say they won't take a chance.
"I wouldn't go there if they have signs up," said parent Clarissa Everybodytalksabout. "It's not a risk I'm willing to take with my kids."
Hargrove said as long as people take common sense precautions like washing thoroughly after using the park, the soil won't harm anyone.
"It's not an immediate health threat but it is a long term health concern," she said.
Workers should begin removing the most contaminated soil from the park later this year.
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