Tacoma Smelter Plume Project

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Public Health
Seattle & King County
401 5th Ave., Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98104

Phone: 206-296-4600
TTY Relay: 711

Click here to email us

	Home » Toxic hazards » Tacoma Smelter Plume

Toxic Hazards
Tacoma Smelter Plume Project

The Tacoma Smelter Plume project is an effort by Public Health - Seattle & King County, state agencies and local communities to determine the extent of soil contamination in King County. Specifically, soils are being sampled for arsenic and lead that likely came from the smokestacks of the Asarco copper smelter in Ruston, near Tacoma. Results from studies conducted between 1999 and 2002 are linked below:

2005:

Extended Undisturbed Soils Footprint Study

2003:

Mainland King County Child Use Area study (Adobe PDF, 1 MB)

2002:

Mainland King County Undisturbed Soils study
(Washington State Dept. of Ecology, April 4, 2002)

2001:

Vashon / Maury Island Child Use Area report
This is a preliminary report, with summary, maps, Frequently Asked Questions, and press release. For more information, contact Marian Abbett, State Department of Ecology at 360-407-6257.

2001:

Vashon / Maury Island cancer study:

www.metrokc.gov/health/hazard/vmicancerreport.pdf (report in PDF)

www.metrokc.gov/health/news/01012301.htm (press release about cancer study)

2000:

Vashon / Maury Island Undisturbed Soils study:

	www.metrokc.gov/health/hazard/vmfinal.htm (final report, available in multiple formats)
	www.metrokc.gov/health/news/00072602.htm (press release about final report)
	www.metrokc.govhealth/hazard/soilsamples.htm#prelimreport (preliminary report)

Fact sheets and other information

Facts about arsenic and lead

Posters and brochures in multiple languages

CONTACT US: If you have further questions, please contact by using our online Comments Form to send us a message.

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Arsenic fact sheet

Inorganic arsenic is extremely toxic. Produced as a byproduct of industrial production such as copper smelting, it can cause both acute and long-term health effects.

Lead fact sheet

Lead is toxic to human beings and children are particularly sensitive to the effects of lead in their bodies.

Updated: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 02:01 PM

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice. For more information please call 206-296-4600 (voice) or TTY Relay: 711. Mailing address: ATTN: Communications Team, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 401 5th Ave., Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104 or click here to email us.

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