EPA removes lead-contaminated soil at nine properties near Northport, WA to protect children and women of childbearing age

EPA removes lead-contaminated soil at nine properties near Northport, WA to protect children and women of childbearing age

November 1, 2024

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed cleanup of lead-contaminated soil on nine residential properties within the Upper Columbia River site, in and around Northport, Washington.

To conduct the cleanup, EPA used $2.8 million Superfund tax funds earmarked by the Biden Administration for projects to protect young children and women of childbearing age from exposure to high levels of lead contamination in soils on residential properties.

Contamination in the area is from the operation of the former Le Roi Smelter in Northport and the Teck Metals Ltd. lead and zinc smelter in Trail, British Columbia.

"EPA's cleanup of residential properties further demonstrates our commitment to reducing the life-long effects of lead exposure in people and especially young children who live and play in the area." said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. "This critical work will continue as long as there are risks to the people of the Upper Columbia."

The EPA has conducted or overseen soil cleanup activities at about 85 properties in the area since 2004. EPA prioritizes cleanups on residential properties that pose the greatest risk and anticipates that more residential properties could be eligible for cleanup in the future.

For the 2024 residential soil cleanups, EPA identified properties with soil above 200 mg/kg for lead and/or above 90 mg/kg for arsenic -- and where children and/or women of childbearing age have unrestricted access to lead-contaminated soil. The agency worked with property owners who consented to soil cleanup. In total, almost 5,400 tons of contaminated soil were removed and transported for disposal. The State of Washington supported the project by arranging and providing funding of $352,000 for disposal of the contaminated soil at the Stevens County Landfill.

"We are grateful for our partnership with the EPA, which has allowed us to take significant steps in protecting the health and well-being of the Northport community," said Nick Acklam, Ecology's Eastern Region Toxics Cleanup Program manager. "By working together to remove lead-contaminated soil, we're not only addressing an immediate environmental concern but also creating a safer future for the folks that live in Northport."

Background on health risks from lead exposure

Lead poses a health risk to people through direct contact and incidental ingestion of soil, including from yards, gardens, and/or play areas. In infants and children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development - slowing down learning and damaging the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer.

EPA has updated its residential soil lead guidance, a significant milestone in the agency-wide Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities. EPA made this change because protecting children from lead exposure is a top priority, and because the science has shown that lead exposure is harmful to children's health at lower levels than was reflected in previous agency guidance.

To learn more about lead-related health risks and how to reduce your exposure, visit:

EPA: Learn about Lead

https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead.

Washington Department of Ecology: Dirt Alert Program

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/dirt-alert-program

EPA: Updated Soil Lead Guidance

https://www.epa.gov/superfund/updated-soil-lead-guidance-cercla-sites-and-rcra-corrective-action-facilities

For information on buying or selling property with known soil contamination, visit Washington Department of Ecology: Selling or Buying Land or a Home in the Upper Columbia River Valley website at https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/documents/1609024.pdf.

Visit the EPA Upper Columbia River website: https://www.epa.gov/columbiariver/upper-columbia-river-study-area

Media Contact: If you have questions about this soil cleanup work or want to conduct an interview, contact the EPA Region 10 Public Affairs Office, [email protected]. Photos are available upon request.

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