If you have children, you will want to read this. Backyard play areas can pose a health risk for you and your children. If you have a grassy or soil area where your children frequently play, they can be exposed to toxic heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Some heavy metals, like arsenic, are naturally occurring; however, depending upon how much arsenic is in your soil will determine if it’s a health hazard or not.
For example, In Pierce County, Washington State, a smelter began operations in 1890 and was closed in 1985. Through the smeltering process, which is the extraction of metals from heating ore, arsenic and lead particles were expelled through a chimney. The particles or contaminates, were at the mercy of the wind. In this case, the wind carried the contaminates to nearby Muary Island in Puget Sound. Surrounding areas of Muary Island became contaminated with arsenic and lead.
There was also immediate fallout of the contaminates surrounding the smelter too, located in Ruston, Washington. Soil cleanup of arsenic and lead was commenced for Ruston, known as the Tacoma-Ruston Federal Cleanup Site by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
If there are contaminates, such as heavy metals or toxic chemicals in the soil on your property, these contaminates could pose a health risk for you and your children. If there’s any question whether your back yard is free from contamination or not, contact an EPA accredited environmental laboratory. The lab personnel can guide you with soil sampling procedures and what specific soil tests that may be prudent.
Should you have any specific question(s), feel free to reach out to us a HomeHealthHazards.com.