Additional testing is underway to determine whether the contamination extends to other public areas and whether further cleanup is needed.
Elevated levels of lead have been found in a public right-of-way in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood, prompting cleanup efforts, additional testing and public health guidance, according to city and county officials.
Seattle Public Utilities found lead contamination along the 4200 block of 23rd Avenue W, between W. Commodore Way and W. Elmore Street. A specialized contractor hired by the city cleaned known areas of contamination in the roadway and a stormwater catch basin Wednesday, officials said.
Additional testing is underway to determine whether the contamination extends to other public areas and whether further cleanup is needed.
Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends pedestrians use alternate routes around the affected block when possible. Officials also advised people to avoid the alley between 22nd Avenue W and 23rd Avenue W unless access is necessary.
According to officials, lead-contaminated dust can be carried on shoes, stroller wheels and wheelchair wheels and tracked into homes, vehicles and workplaces. People who have recently been in the affected area should remove their shoes before entering their homes and wipe stroller or wheelchair wheels with a damp cloth.
Seattle Public Utilities collected roadway and stormwater catch basin samples in late July, followed by confirmatory testing in August. Testing found 55.3 parts per million of leachable lead in a roadway sample and 451 parts per million in a catch basin sample, officials said. Both were above Washington state’s hazardous waste threshold of 5 parts per million.
Public Health also collected water and dust samples at a nearby private daycare in mid-August. Samples from areas where children spend time did not show concerning lead levels, officials said.
Three of 11 samples exceeded Environmental Protection Agency action levels, but those samples were collected in areas where children do not spend time. The daycare is working with Public Health to eliminate lead dust at the facility, officials said.
The environmental investigation began after concerns about occupational lead exposure at Dyno Battery, which is located in the area. In March, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries fined the company over workplace conditions involving lead exposure, according to officials. Battery production involves lead.
In April, the state Department of Health and Labor & Industries alerted Public Health about concerns that Dyno Battery workers could bring lead home and expose family members. Public Health later contacted Seattle Public Utilities, which conducted soil and dust testing near the facility in July. Results confirming elevated lead levels came back in August, officials said.
Officials said the extent and source of the contamination have not been determined. City, county, state and federal agencies are conducting additional soil and water sampling to assess potential public exposure, determine whether contamination is present elsewhere and identify any additional cleanup that may be needed.
Public Health is also working with Dyno Battery employees on lead risks and blood lead testing, officials said. The agency is working with the daycare to reduce lead levels and inform parents about lead testing and ways to protect children.
