| Community News |
Environmental Clean-Up
Program
Dear Marvista Families:
You may have read or heard that Marvista is part of an environmental clean-up program. If you have been around the school grounds, you also may have noticed that the garden has been replaced and that there are some newly paved surfaces. I want to tell you why and ease any concerns you may have.
Soils across the Puget Sound region have been impacted by lead and arsenic emissions from the now-closed Asarco smelter in Tacoma. Marvista is one of many schools and parks tested in 2003 for lead and arsenic. At that time, no lead and only traces of arsenic were found—low levels that did not trigger immediate clean-up. Working with Public Health-Seattle & King County, we provided students, staff, and families with information on how to minimize health risks. These are common sense measures such as washing hands before meals and wiping shoes on a doormat before going indoors.
More extensive environmental testing was conducted last week in preparation for construction of our new school. Many more locations were sampled. There were six locations where lead or arsenic was detected. This is not a cause for alarm. The levels found do not constitute an immediate health risk. However, since long-term exposure is not healthy, our facilities department decided to cover over or replace the dirt in those areas.
We want to err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our students. We are all disappointed that our garden had to be removed, but garden vegetables grown in even slightly contaminated soils can concentrate the chemicals to levels that are not considered safe. As a further precaution, students will be discouraged from digging in dirt during recess. When construction begins, crews will use special precautions when working in areas where contaminants were detected to prevent dirt from becoming airborne.
Bear in mind that these conditions are found in soil all over our neighborhood and our region, not just on our school grounds. The dirt in parks, playfields, and our own yards was exposed to Asarco emissions over the 100 years the smelter operated. It is wise to follow Public Health’s guidelines for reducing exposure at home as well as at school.
You will find more details on the attached question and answer sheet. If you have further questions, please contact the Highline Public Schools communication office at 206-433-2331.
Sincerely,
Rebekah Kim
Principal
Soil Safety at Marvista
Why is there concern about soil safety at Marvista?
Marvista is one of many schools, parks, and residences in the area impacted by emissions from the Asarco smelter in Tacoma, which operated for over 100 years. The smoke plume from the smelter contained lead and arsenic, which settled in soils across the Puget Sound region.
What soil testing was done at Marvista?
In 2003, Public Health-Seattle & King County tested soils at the school sites most likely to be impacted. At Marvista, trace levels of arsenic were detected at two of six test sites; neither was at a level that required clean-up. No lead was detected.
What was done in response to the arsenic findings?
Public Health worked with us to educate students, staff, and families about soil safety—common sense measures like hand washing and reducing the amount of dirt we bring indoors on our clothes and shoes.
A recent newspaper article indicated Marvista is slated for clean-up. Why?
A new state law provided funding for clean-up of areas with lower levels of contaminants. The news story outlined the Department of Ecology’s program to further reduce and remove low levels of pollutants at school locations. The story was not the result of new concerns about Marvista grounds.
Why was soil recently tested again at Marvista and what were the findings?
Additional testing was conducted in preparation for construction of our new school. Because of the necessity to move a large volume of dirt during construction, many more areas were sampled than in 2003. Six sites showed some level of arsenic or lead.
Should I be worried about my child’s exposure to these contaminants?
The levels found do not present a serious health threat. Exposure to soil contaminants over a long period of time does present some health risks. The contaminated soil has been removed or covered to protect children from long-term exposure.
What will be done to contain soil and dust during construction?
Our crews will operate in full compliance with the law and best management practices to contain the dust and prevent it from becoming airborne.
Where can I get more information?
Things you can do to stay healthy, including information on gardening:
Megan Sety, Health Educator. Public Health Seattle-King County
megan.sety@kingcounty.gov; 206-263-8486.
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/tsp/arseniclead.htm
Questions regarding sampling results or clean-up plans for individual schools:
Amy Hargrove, Washington State Department of Ecology
ahar461@ecy.wa.gov; 360-407-6262
Information on how to sample your own soil:
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/dirt_alert/homeowners/homeowners_general.html
Dear Marvista Families:
You may have read or heard that Marvista is part of an environmental clean-up program. If you have been around the school grounds, you also may have noticed that the garden has been replaced and that there are some newly paved surfaces. I want to tell you why and ease any concerns you may have.
Soils across the Puget Sound region have been impacted by lead and arsenic emissions from the now-closed Asarco smelter in Tacoma. Marvista is one of many schools and parks tested in 2003 for lead and arsenic. At that time, no lead and only traces of arsenic were found—low levels that did not trigger immediate clean-up. Working with Public Health-Seattle & King County, we provided students, staff, and families with information on how to minimize health risks. These are common sense measures such as washing hands before meals and wiping shoes on a doormat before going indoors.
More extensive environmental testing was conducted last week in preparation for construction of our new school. Many more locations were sampled. There were six locations where lead or arsenic was detected. This is not a cause for alarm. The levels found do not constitute an immediate health risk. However, since long-term exposure is not healthy, our facilities department decided to cover over or replace the dirt in those areas.
We want to err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our students. We are all disappointed that our garden had to be removed, but garden vegetables grown in even slightly contaminated soils can concentrate the chemicals to levels that are not considered safe. As a further precaution, students will be discouraged from digging in dirt during recess. When construction begins, crews will use special precautions when working in areas where contaminants were detected to prevent dirt from becoming airborne.
Bear in mind that these conditions are found in soil all over our neighborhood and our region, not just on our school grounds. The dirt in parks, playfields, and our own yards was exposed to Asarco emissions over the 100 years the smelter operated. It is wise to follow Public Health’s guidelines for reducing exposure at home as well as at school.
You will find more details on the attached question and answer sheet. If you have further questions, please contact the Highline Public Schools communication office at 206-433-2331.
Sincerely,
Rebekah Kim
Principal
Soil Safety at Marvista
Why is there concern about soil safety at Marvista?
Marvista is one of many schools, parks, and residences in the area impacted by emissions from the Asarco smelter in Tacoma, which operated for over 100 years. The smoke plume from the smelter contained lead and arsenic, which settled in soils across the Puget Sound region.
What soil testing was done at Marvista?
In 2003, Public Health-Seattle & King County tested soils at the school sites most likely to be impacted. At Marvista, trace levels of arsenic were detected at two of six test sites; neither was at a level that required clean-up. No lead was detected.
What was done in response to the arsenic findings?
Public Health worked with us to educate students, staff, and families about soil safety—common sense measures like hand washing and reducing the amount of dirt we bring indoors on our clothes and shoes.
A recent newspaper article indicated Marvista is slated for clean-up. Why?
A new state law provided funding for clean-up of areas with lower levels of contaminants. The news story outlined the Department of Ecology’s program to further reduce and remove low levels of pollutants at school locations. The story was not the result of new concerns about Marvista grounds.
Why was soil recently tested again at Marvista and what were the findings?
Additional testing was conducted in preparation for construction of our new school. Because of the necessity to move a large volume of dirt during construction, many more areas were sampled than in 2003. Six sites showed some level of arsenic or lead.
Should I be worried about my child’s exposure to these contaminants?
The levels found do not present a serious health threat. Exposure to soil contaminants over a long period of time does present some health risks. The contaminated soil has been removed or covered to protect children from long-term exposure.
What will be done to contain soil and dust during construction?
Our crews will operate in full compliance with the law and best management practices to contain the dust and prevent it from becoming airborne.
Where can I get more information?
Things you can do to stay healthy, including information on gardening:
Megan Sety, Health Educator. Public Health Seattle-King County
megan.sety@kingcounty.gov; 206-263-8486.
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/tsp/arseniclead.htm
Questions regarding sampling results or clean-up plans for individual schools:
Amy Hargrove, Washington State Department of Ecology
ahar461@ecy.wa.gov; 360-407-6262
Information on how to sample your own soil:
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/dirt_alert/homeowners/homeowners_general.html
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