Asbestos Found in Washington State Creek

Analysts from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have tested the soil near Swift Creek in northwestern Washington State and found noticeable levels of asbestos. The EPA staffers found the naturally occurring asbestos near the Sumas Mountain landslide around the creek's headwaters. The report also notes that, when water levels in the creek start to drop or when workers dredge the creek bed, the asbestos fibers can become airborne and create a health hazard.

In fact, according to the EPA report, any disturbance of the creek bed sediments can result in airborne asbestos fibers. State and federal environmental agencies are discussing plans on how to deal with the environmental impact of the findings, including closing the area to hikers and campers for fear that their activities may disturb the asbestos layers and create the potential for exposure to the dangerous material.

An earlier summary report, released in February 2007, showed that particular activities such as biking or jogging along the creek bed or shoveling or raking the topsoil, can stir up enough loose asbestos to create a hazardous environment. Last January, the EPA did a follow-up report after localized flooding disturbed the creek bed sediments. The new report showed even higher levels of asbestos in the water and soil as far as the Canadian border. Canadian officials have yet to comment on the potential contamination on their side of the site.

Last week, members of the Whatcom County Council met to discuss possible plans to stop more contaminated runoff water from flowing into the creek. One of the options discussed was to pay a private contracting company, Pacific Survey and Engineering, Inc., to examine the site and offer choices on the best ways to close off the flow of asbestos-laced water. The survey project is expected to cost the county $160,000.

Ever since the discovery of asbestos near Sumas Mountain, officials with the county government have been examining options to cover the costs of containing and cleaning up the site, with some estimates for the project climbing as high as $100 million. Last year, the Washington Department of Ecology issued a grant to the county for $1 million to get the project started.

While the area is not contaminated as heavily as some more industrial sites, such as nearby Libby, Montana, EPA analysts have determined that the levels of airborne asbestos near Swift Creek exceed the government's standards for safe exposure. The EPA report also showed that the incidence rates of asbestos-related lung disorders in area residents did not exceed those of residents of other parts of the state. However, since many asbestos-related diseases take several years to show their symptoms, any data at this early stage may prove inconclusive.

Any work done towards preventing asbestos runoff near Swift Creek could have much wider implications. Swift Creek flows into the Sumas River, which is a tributary of the Fraser River that moves through British Columbia, Canada. With the discovery of asbestos at the site, officials have banned dredging the creek in order to prevent further contamination. Until the discovery was made, workers dredged the creek to prevent flooding. If the creek floods again, the damage to homes in the area could be devastating and could affect the water flow further down the river system.

Sources: EPA website, Bellingham Herald, Whatcom County website

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