Garfield Elementary School
Facility Site ID:
1308202
Cleanup Site ID:
3814
Site Description
Schools in the Yakima School District were sampled for lead and arsenic contamination as part of Ecology’s Area-Wide Soil Contamination Project. Soil beneath the grass of the playground at the elementary school contains lead and arsenic; sampling and analysis indicates that contamination exceeds state cleanup levels.
Area-wide soil contamination is defined as contamination above state cleanup levels that is dispersed over a large geographic area. The soil contamination in this case is a result of central Washington’s orchard industry. Much of the region consists of current or former orchard land, where long-term pesticide application has taken its toll. Lead arsenate, a pesticide commonly used between the years of 1905 and 1947 to control the codling moth, has been identified as the primary source of increased lead and arsenic concentrations.
Due to their chemical structure, lead and arsenic tend to bond with soil particles and often remain at or near ground surface level for decades, creating an exposure pathway through inhalation and/or ingestion.
Although lead and arsenic are naturally occurring elements, elevated concentrations have been proven to have a negative impact on human health. Young children are generally more susceptible than adults, which is why Ecology has focused remediation efforts on schools.
Area-wide soil contamination is defined as contamination above state cleanup levels that is dispersed over a large geographic area. The soil contamination in this case is a result of central Washington’s orchard industry. Much of the region consists of current or former orchard land, where long-term pesticide application has taken its toll. Lead arsenate, a pesticide commonly used between the years of 1905 and 1947 to control the codling moth, has been identified as the primary source of increased lead and arsenic concentrations.
Due to their chemical structure, lead and arsenic tend to bond with soil particles and often remain at or near ground surface level for decades, creating an exposure pathway through inhalation and/or ingestion.
Although lead and arsenic are naturally occurring elements, elevated concentrations have been proven to have a negative impact on human health. Young children are generally more susceptible than adults, which is why Ecology has focused remediation efforts on schools.
Cleanup Activities
The cleanup alternative preferred by Ecology consists primarily of placing clean soil on top of the existing soil and establishing new grass in this clean soil.
The course of action taken was to cap contaminated soils with clean soil and grass sod. Some contaminated soils were excavated to allow the soil cap to meet existing grade. A penneable geotextile fabric was placed over top of contaminated soils. Clean topsoil was placed over the geotextile, and sod was applied to restore the site to the original condition. The play equipment pit was excavated and lined with geotextile fabric, then filled with engineered wood fiber. As a result of the Interim Action, lead and arsenic contaminated soil is contained within the site.
An environmental covenant needs to be filed to restrict future improvements or redevelopment of the site.
The course of action taken was to cap contaminated soils with clean soil and grass sod. Some contaminated soils were excavated to allow the soil cap to meet existing grade. A penneable geotextile fabric was placed over top of contaminated soils. Clean topsoil was placed over the geotextile, and sod was applied to restore the site to the original condition. The play equipment pit was excavated and lined with geotextile fabric, then filled with engineered wood fiber. As a result of the Interim Action, lead and arsenic contaminated soil is contained within the site.
An environmental covenant needs to be filed to restrict future improvements or redevelopment of the site.
Documents 6
Public Information 2
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Garfield Elementary IAP DNS fact sheet Spanish | 5/7/2010 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Garfield Elementary IAP DNS fact sheet | 5/7/2010 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
State Environmental Policy Act 2
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Garfield ES SEPA DNS | 5/7/2010 | SEPA Documents |
Garfield ES Environmental Checklist | 4/9/2010 | SEPA Documents |
Technical Reports 2
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Garfield Elementary School Interim Action rpt | 1/20/2011 | Interim Action Documents |
Garfield Elementary School Interim Remedial Action Plan | 4/9/2010 | Interim Action Documents |
There may be more documents related to this site. To obtain documents not available electronically, you will need to make a public records request.
Places to see print documents
-
Central Regional Office1250 W Alder StUnion Gap, 98903-0009Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 2
Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | C | |||||
Metals - Arsenic | C |
- S
- Suspected
- C
- Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
- B
- Below Cleanup Levels
- RA
- Remediated-Above
- RB
- Remediated-Below
- R
- Remediated
This contaminant list was based on our best information at the time it was entered. It may not reflect current conditions at the site.