Levels of lead and arsenic soil contamination can be different from place to place. It is based on:

• Distance from the smelter
• Wind currents
• Geographic features (such as hills)
• If soil has been disturbed during construction, gardening, or other activities

With funding from the Department of Ecology's settlement with Asarco, we are:

• Collecting soil samples from residential yards, within a defined service area
• Providing soil sample results to homeowners, along with an explanation of what that means
• Providing outreach and education to residents
• Partnering with community and gardening groups to increase education
• Providing outreach to schools and child care facilities

The Department of Ecology is also:

• Testing soil and cleaning up the most contaminated residential yards in Southern Vashon-Maury Island and Ruston/North Tacoma
• Cleaning up the most contaminated play areas in schools, childcare, parks, camps, and multi-family public housing in the Soil Safety Area
• Providing technical assistance for cleaning up properties during development

More information can be found on the Washington State Department of Ecology TSP website.

• For residents of Thurston County
• For residents of Pierce County