Arsenic and lead in children

Several recent state Department of Ecology studies confirmed arsenic and lead contamination in King County soils. Much of the arsenic and some of the lead is potentially linked to the Asarco copper smelter smokestack emissions. The smelter was located on Commencement Bay in Tacoma, and operated from the late 1900s to the 1980s. Public Health's Tacoma Smelter Plume Project homepage has links to reports on the studies, fact sheets on arsenic, lead and pica behavior.

The studies found arsenic and lead contamination at various levels throughout the sample area. The areas studied extended from Federal Way to West Seattle, east to Bellevue, south to the Kent valley and on Vashon/Maury Island. Contamination appears to be heaviest on the western portion of the area studied, which was closer to the smelter. From 2004-2006, Public Health - Seattle & King County will be working to determine the other geographical limnits of the plume "footprint."

The levels of soil contamination do not present a public health emergency, however, Public Health recommends that all families adhere to the following guidelines to reduce exposure. These guidelines focus on reducing ingestion and inhalation, and include:

Washing hands before eating
Keeping dust under control with frequent damp mopping
Removing shoes before entering the home
Keeping children off of bare patches of soil

We will mail copies of the guidelines to your office for distribution if you wish. Call (206) 296-4692. For other questions call Bonnie Meyer: (206) 205-1150.

Families may be concerned about testing their children for the presence of arsenic or lead in their blood. Public Health recommends that people who think they have been exposed to arsenic and lead consult their doctor about appropriate testing options.

Arsenic tests may indicate recent exposure to arsenic, but do not indicate possible health effects from exposure. Questions about biomonitoring tests for arsenic exposure may be directed to Dr. David Kalman, Chair, Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington: (206) 543-6991. Dr. Jim White, toxicologist at the Washington State Department of Health is also available for questions relating to arsenic exposure: (360) 236-3192.

Public Health recommends children six and under be tested for lead exposure if:

Tests in soils where the child plays is greater than 350 ppm; or if
The child has other exposure sources such as peeling paint; or if
The child has exhibited pica behavior

Please refer to the lead screening guidelines for children developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in their publication titled "Screening Young Children for Lead Poisoning." It may be found in the publications section of the CDC lead poisoning prevention site: www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/lead.htm