EPA 910/9-91-012	United States	Region 10	Alaska
Environmental Protection	1200 Sixth Avenue	Idaho
Agency	Seattle, WA 98101	Oregon
Washington
Superfund	October 1991
v>ERA The Asarco Tacoma Smelter
Superfund Projects:
A Brief Overview

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Washington
State Department of Ecology, and other State and local agencies
are working to protect public health and improve the environment in
contaminated areas of Ruston and Tacoma, Washington. This
brochure provides information about three ongoing clean-up
projects related to contamination caused by past operations of the
Asarco Tacoma Smelter.
Cover photo: © AEROLIST PHOTOGRAPHERS, INC.

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Historical Overview
The Asarco Tacoma Smelter is located on about 67 acres along the shore of Commencement Bay in
Ruston and Tacoma, Washington. The facility is owned by the American Smelting and Refining Company
(Asarco). The smelter operated from 1890 until 1986, first as a lead smelter, and later as a copper smelter
that processed ores containing high levels of arsenic. In 1985, smelting operations were discontinued, and
in 1986, the facility closed permanently. During the time it operated, the Asarco Smelter used high
temperature furnaces to melt the metals away from raw materials. This smelting process resulted in two
main types of pollution:
Sulfur Dioxide and Contaminated Dust —
the smelter stack and other parts of the plant
released sulfur dioxide (a gas) and dust particles
(containing arsenic and other metals) into the air.
Much of the dust settled onto the soils throughout
Ruston and north Tacoma. Some dust also fell into
the waters of Commencement Bay. Most of the
dust that fell on the land remains in the soil today.
However, a portion of the pollution has been, and
continues to be, carried by wind and rainwater
into Commencement Bay.
Slag — hot, liquid slag (a black, glass-like
material containing arsenic and other metals)
was a waste product of the smelting process.
Asarco poured the slag into Commencement Bay
to cool and harden. The hardened slag created
an extended shoreline, and most of the existing
plant is built on this extended shoreline. Some
slag was also cooled on land. Residents of the
community used slag for ornamental rock,
driveways, sandblast grit, fill, and a variety of
other purposes.
How Contaminants From the
Asarco Plant Spread to the Surrounding Community
TO BAY
SMOKE
STACK
Contaminants
May Enter Plants
and Animals
Living in the Bay
Contaminants
Kicked Up
and Carried
Through
the Air
Contaminants
Tracked Inside
on Shoes
C-:C-:C SLAG •:?•:
Asarco Plant
SLAG
SEDIMENTS
Ruston/North Tacoma
Slag was used for driveways
and ornamental rock.
Air carried contaminants from
the Tacoma Smelter stack and
process areas to soils and
Commencement Bay.
Commencement Bay
Slag was placed in the
Bay to cool and harden.
Rainwater washed
contaminated
soils into the Bay.
1

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Superfund
The Asarco Tacoma Smelter Superfund Projects
In 1983, the area now known as the Com-
mencement Bay Nearshore/Tideflats Site was
added to EPA's list of Superfund sites. Three
projects associated with the Asarco Smelter op-
erations are being addressed as part of the
overall Commencement Bay Nearshore/Tideflats
Superfund Site.
The Asarco Smelter Site
The Asarco Marine Sediments
The Ruston/North Tacoma
Residential Soils
What is Superfund?
In 1980, Congress passed the Compre-
hensive Environmental Response, Compen-
sation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which
was amended in 1986 by the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA). These two laws, commonly known
as Superfund, provide EPA with the authority
and resources to investigate and clean up
releases, or threatened releases, of hazard-
ous substances.
Superfund authorizes EPA to take legal
action to ensure that parties responsible for
polluting soils or water clean up those areas.
If the responsible parties do not, or cannot,
clean up the sites, monies can be spent from
the "Superfund" to investigate and clean up
the site.
Once a site has been identified by EPA as
needing attention under Superfund, it is placed
on the National Priorities List (NPL). The site
The Federal Superfund Process
is then investigated and, if necessary, a
cleanup program is implemented. If a site
poses an immediate threat to public health or
the environment, EPA has the authority un-
der Superfund to address the situation quickly
through a removal action that can occur be-
fore the overall site investigation is complete.
Every site addressed underthe Superfund
program is unique, and cleanups are tailored
to the specific conditions at each site. Cleanup
usually involves treating, removing, or con-
taining the hazardous wastes. Through the
Superfund process (indicated in the chart
below), EPA seeks permanent solutions to
reduce the public's exposure to pollution and
to prevent the spread of pollution in the envi-
ronment. EPA publishes fact sheets and
sponsors many educational activities, such
as community meetings and workshops, to
keep the public informed and involved in
ongoing Superfund investigations and
cleanup projects.
CLEAN UP
THE SITE
Remove Treat
Contain Site
Contamination
INVESTIGATE
THE SITE
Inspect Site
and Rank
Possible
Hazards
ISSUE A
RECORD OF
DECISION (ROD)
Select Final
Cleanup Option
for the Site
CONDUCT A
FEASIBILITY
STUDY (FS)
Evaluate Cleanup
Options for the Site
>ption(i
tor Foi
PROPOSE A
CLEANUP PLAN
Suggest Cleanup
Distribute
... Formal Public
Comment
CONDUCT A REMEDIAL
INVESTIGATION (Rl)
Identify Nature and
Extent of Contamination;
Define Public Health Risks
PLACE SITE ON
THE NATIONAL
PRIORITIES LIST
(NPL)
If Hazards Are
High, Add Site
to NPL for
Superfund
Investigation
2

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1
The Asarco	S
One of the Asarco Tacoma Smelter Superfund
projects involves cleaning up contamination found
on the Asarco property. As a result of past
operations at the Asarco Smelter, the Asarco
property contains slag, soil, groundwater, and
buildings that are contaminated with metals (such
as antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cop-
per, lead, nickel, and zinc) and organic com-
pounds (such as dimethylaniline).
Asarco began an investigation of contamina-
tion on the smelter property in 1986. At that time,
Asarco also began evaluating options for clean-
ing up the site. EPA oversees Asarco's efforts in
the investigation and cleanup process.
The Asarco on-site cleanup is taking place in
several phases, including demolition of structures
on the property, and overall cleanup of the site.
Demolition of Smelter Site Structures
In 1987 and 1988, Asarco removed many of
the most highly contaminated buildings from the
plant property. Later, in 1990, EPA issued a
formal decision requiring demolition of the major-
ity of the site's remaining structures, including the
smelter stack. These structures need to be
removed because they are contaminated, un-
stable, and pose a risk to human health and the
environment. Removal of the structures will also
aid in determining the level of contamination
located beneath the buildings.
When the demolition of the structures occurs,
steps will be taken to minimize the amount of
contamination entering the environment. These
steps include:
•	Minimizing the amount of contaminated dust
that could enter the air during demolition
activities by wetting the area using a powerful
sprinkler-type system.
•	Minimizing the amount of rainwater and water
generated during demolition that runs from
the property into Commencement Bay and
into groundwater.
•	Reducing the amount of water that runs from
the surrounding community onto the Asarco
property. This also lessens the chances of
the water carrying contamination from the
property into Commencement Bay.
Map of the Smelter Site Study Area
YACHT
CLUB
LEGEND
On-Site
Study Area
COMMENCEMENT
BAY
ASARCO
>: 'Ml1
N. 51 ST ST
MACK
N BOTH 81
M 49THST.
APPHQX. SCALE IN FEET
300 600 900
- RUSTON TOWN LIMITS
TACOMA CITY LIMITS
Properly disposing of all demolition wastes at
the appropriate hazardous, dangerous, or
solid waste facility or at an appropriate tem-
porary storage area at the smelter site.
•	Vacuuming and washing any structures not
demolished to decontaminate them.
•	Protecting the surrounding community and
environment through planned health and
safety activities, including air monitoring.
Overall Smelter Site Investigation
Asarco is gathering information for choosing a
final method for cleaning up the contamination
found on the plant property. Asarco is currently
sampling on-site soils and groundwater. Once the
majority of the structures are removed from the
property, Asarco will collect samples from where
the buildings once stood. All of this information will
be added to what is already known about the site,
and options for cleaning up the contamination will
be described formally in a cleanup plan. After the
public has had an opportunity to comment on the
proposed cleanup plan, EPA will issue a final
decision and the overall site cleanup will begin.

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2
The Asarco	Marine
Contaminated soils, groundwater, and slag
from the Asarco operations have contaminated
the sediments along the shoreline next to the
Asarco property. Sediments are materials such
as sand, soil, slag, mud, and decomposing plants
and animals that have settled to the bottom of the
Bay. EPA is concerned that marine organisms
living in the Bay are being adversely affected by
the contamination. Also, people consuming con-
taminated fish or shellfish may experience ad-
verse health effects.
In 1989, EPA requested public comments on
cleanup options for the cleanup of sediments in
the Commencement Bay Nearshore/Tideflats
Superfund Site, including options for the Asarco
Marine Sediments Cleanup. The preferred
cleanup option originally involved digging up and
disposing of the sediments along the shoreline.
However, during the public comment period, EPA
received more information from Asarco indicat-
ing that the area of sediment contamination may
not be as large as originally determined. As a
result, EPA is considering the new data and re-
evaluating the cleanup options for the sediments.
Once the evaluation is complete, EPA and
the Washington State Department of Ecology will
propose a new cleanup plan. After considering
public comments on the new plan, the agencies
will select a final cleanup plan for the sediments
and cleanup will begin.
The Ruston/North Tacoma Residential Soils
Arsenic and other pollutants related to the past operations of the Asarco Smelter are present in the
soils and slag found in Ruston and north Tacoma. EPA is concerned about potential health effects from
exposure to this contaminated soil and slag. It is unlikely that natural processes such as weathering or rain
will reduce the amount of contamination in the soils. Therefore, EPA has conducted soil sampling and is
developing cleanup options.
Soil Testing
In 1988, the Washington State Department of
Ecology (Ecology) collected 288 soil samples
from an area of approximately 950 acres sur-
rounding the smelter (see map). This area in-
cludes about 1,800 housing units and 4,300
people. Based on the results of soil sampling and
discussions with EPA and Ecology, Asarco agreed
to remove contaminated topsoil from 11 publicly
accessible properties including playgrounds,
fields, and vacant lots where children were likely
to play. Clean soil was placed over the excavated
areas.
In 1989, EPA began an investigation to col-
lect additional information about the soil contami-
nation in the area. As part of this investigation, a
plan for the soil sampling was developed with
input from the community. In the summer of
1990, EPA collected 222 additional soil samples.
The test results confirmed that the highest
levels of arsenic and other contaminants are
generally found on properties located closest to
the smelter. The test results also indicated the
amount of contamination in soil tends to de-
crease as you move farther away from the smelter.
While these general patterns exist, differences in
contaminant levels between neighboring proper-
ties have also been observed. This variability in
contaminant concentration from yard to yard is
likely due to activities of individual homeowners,
such as building and landscaping. As a result of
these activities, contaminated surface soil may
have been "mixed" with less or noncontaminated
subsurface soil, or clean soil may have been
imported from a noncontaminated area. These
activities probably caused a decrease in the
overall contaminant concentration in some yards.
4

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Soils in urban areas not impacted by an ar-
senic-emitting source are expected to contain less
than 20 parts per million (ppm) of arsenic. A
concentration of one part per million corresponds to
one part of arsenic per one million parts of soil. Test
results show that the amount of arsenic in surface
soils in the Ruston and north Tacoma residential
study area ranges from 2 to 3,000 ppm.
Most urban soils are expected to contain less
than 250 ppm of lead. Test results of surface
soils in the residential area indicate that the
amount of lead — a contaminant associated with
smelting operations and other sources — ranges
from 7 to 2,700 ppm.
Cleanup Options
The results of the most recent soil sampling
suggest that additional soil cleanup in the resi-
dential area may be needed. EPA is considering
a number of ways to reduce people's exposure to
contaminated soil including:
•	Administrative measures, such as permitting,
public education, and soil disposal programs,
that would help protect the public.
•	Placing asphalt over dirt alleyways and
parking lots, and placing sod over exposed
contaminated soils.
• Removing some or all of the
contaminated soil, and replac-
ing it with clean soil and grass.
The contaminated soil could be
disposed of either at a facility
that would be constructed on
the Asarco property or at a regu-
lated disposal facility away from
the Asarco property. As an
alternative to disposal, EPA is
also considering a process for
treating and washing the soil to
remove contaminants. The
cleaned soil could be replaced
on properties in the Ruston and
north Tacoma areas.
YACHT
CLUB
^ COMMENCEMENT
PAHKAVE
ASARCO
N. 52nd ST. m
N. 51 ST ST,
N.49THSI.
RUSTON /TACOMA CI IY
lif,V.
N. 49TH ST.

N. 46TH ST.
N 4;'Ni> S I
N. 38TH ST
At I f (OX SCAI I IN FEET
LEGEND
Residential
Study Area
Boundary
Sediment Study Area
• EPA is also evaluating the
consequences of taking no
action as a basis for evaluating
the other cleanup options.
Map of the Residential
and Sediments Study Areas
5

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Health Concerns
How Are People Exposed to the Contaminants?
EPA is concerned that residents in the Ruston
and north Tacoma area are or could be exposed
to elevated levels of arsenic and lead. Various
common behaviors can result in exposure to
arsenic, lead, and other contaminants. These
behaviors generally involve unintentionally in-
gesting, touching, or breathing contaminated soils
and dust. For example, a person may ingest
contaminated soil if dirty hands are placed near
or in the mouth. Similarly, soil may be ingested if
dirty hands are used to touch food, gum, or
cigarettes that are then placed the mouth.
Contaminated soil and dust may also be
tracked into the home where it can settle on
surfaces or objects that are contacted by people.
For example, if an object such as a cup or a
child's toy is placed in the mouth, contaminated
dust on the object may be swallowed. A person
may also be exposed by directly breathing con-
taminated soils or dust during outdoor activities
such as gardening or playing in a dry dusty area,
or in the home.
Exposure of children is of particular concern
because of their more frequent hand-to-mouth
behavior (such as thumb sucking or "mouthing"
of objects). Also, a child is likely to exhibit behav-
ior that will lead to more frequent contact with the
contaminants, such as playing in contaminated
soil or crawling on contaminated floor surfaces.
Less significant exposure may result from
eating fruits or vegetables grown in contami-
nated soil, particularly if soil is not washed from
the fruits and vegetables prior to eating them.
Arsenic and lead are the two smelter-related contaminants of primary concern for human
health in the residential area. EPA is evaluating the potential health risks associated with exposure
to these contaminants in the Ruston and north Tacoma communities. The following is a discussion
of the general types of health effects that have been associated with these contaminants.
Arsenic
Exposure to arsenic has been shown to
increase a person's risk of developing can-
cer. Inhaling arsenic increases the risk of
developing lung cancer. Ingesting or swal-
lowing arsenic increases the risk of develop-
ing skin cancer as well as cancer in other
parts of the body.
Arsenic can also cause other types of skin
problems when ingested. The most character-
istic problems include dark and light spots on
the skin, and small "corns" on the palms, soles,
and trunk of the body. In addition to skin
problems, ingestion of arsenic has caused other
effects, such as blood and nerve disorders.
Lead
When the amount of lead in soil or dust is
more than 500 to 1,000 ppm, the level of lead in
children's blood may increase above commonly
occurring levels. Increased blood lead levels
have been associated with behavior and learn-
ing problems in children, and increased blood
pressure in adults. Lead exposure can also
cause nerve, kidney, and blood cell damage,
and may increase the risk of cancer.
Other Contaminants
EPA has found other soil contaminants
associated with smelter operations in the
residential area, including antimony, cad-
mium, copper, mercury, and silver. These
contaminants are present in smaller amounts
but still exist at concentrations greater than
typical urban soil values. While these con-
taminants probably do not pose a significant
health risk individually, the health effects of
combined exposure are unknown.
6

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Some Ways People Can Be Exposed to Contamination
How Can You Reduce Your Exposure to Contaminated Soil?
You can reduce your exposure to soil contaminants by paying close attention to personal hygiene and
avoiding contact with contaminated soil. Here are some suggestions:
Children Can Place
Dusty Fingers or
Other Objects in
Mouth While Playing
People Can Breathe
or Swallow Dust
Particles While Digging
or Working in Soil
People Can Swallow
Soil When Dirty Hands
Touch Food or Cigarettes
That Are Placed in Mouth
People Can Breathe
Dust Carried in Air or
Swallow Dust That Has
Settled on Objects
Such as Dishes
Can Place
Driveway Slag
in Mouth



•	Maintain sod or grass in your yard.
•	Wet soil before digging to minimize the dust
that could be generated.
Wear clean, full-body protective clothing such
as coveralls or a long-sleeved shirt, pants,
shoes, and gloves when you are disturbing
the soil. Wash these clothes separately from
other clothing.
•	Wash your hands and face when you are
finished with activities that disturb the soil,
such as digging or gardening.
Pay close attention to where children play.
Exposure to arsenic is reduced by playing on
grass rather than on bare dirt.
Wash children's hands and faces to remove
dirt after playing.
Remove soil from homegrown fruits and
vegetables before you eat them by washing
and peeling them.
•	Do not consume food or beverages while you
are conducting activities that disturb the soil.
•	Do not smoke or chew gum or tobacco in the
area where the soil is being disturbed.
Use a wet mop or dampcloth to clean dust
and dirt tracked into the home. Wipe your feet
on a doormat or carpet and leave your shoes
at the entrance of your house to minimize
tracking dust and dirt into the house. Be
aware that pets also track in dust and dirt.
7

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How You Can
Community Workgroup Meeting
Read EPA Fact Sheets
EPA writes and distributes fact sheets for com-
munity members. The fact sheets offer up-to-date
information about the Asarco cleanup activities and
investigations. Contact EPA if you would like your
name added to EPA's Fact Sheet mailing list.
Visit Information Repositories
You can find written information about the Asarco
cleanup projects at any of the eight EPA information
repositories. The locations of the information reposi-
tories are listed on the inside back cover of this
brochure.
Become Active in Other EPA
Programs
You are welcome and encouraged to attend
public information meetings, open houses, and work-
shops about the Asarco cleanup projects. You can
find announcements of upcoming activities in local
newspapers, fact sheets, and meeting notices mailed
to community members. You can also find out about
upcoming community involvement activities by con-
tacting the EPA's Community Relations Coordinator
in Seattle or EPA's Community Liaison in Ruston.
EPA encourages Ruston and north Tacoma com-
munity members to become involved in the Asarco
Superfund cleanup process by participating in com-
munity education and involvement programs. You
can become involved in and learn more about the
Asarco projects in the following ways:
^ Attend Community Workgroup
Meetings
All interested community members are wel-
come to attend community workgroup meetings. The
meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every
month at 5:45 pm in the McCormick Public Library,
3722 N. 26th Street, Tacoma, Washington.
Established by EPA, the community workgroup
is a forum for learning and expressing your ideas and
opinions about the Asarco cleanup program. The
workgroup is made up of community members and
EPA staff working on the Asarco Superfund projects.
Talk with the Community
Liaison
The Community Liaison, Clayton Johnson, is a
long-time resident of the area and can help answer
your questions about the Asarco projects. He can
also take your concerns to EPA managers. Feel free
to call his office or stop by to talk with him about the
Asarco projects. Clayton's office address and phone
number are found on the inside back cover of this
brochure.
Clayton Johnson, Community Liaison
8

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For More Inf
You can learn more about the Asarco Superfund
projects by contacting EPA staff or stopping by one of
the information repositories listed on this page.
EPA Contacts
Use the phone numbers and address listed below
to contact EPA staff, or call toll free on weekdays from
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:
1 (800)-424-4EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
EPA Project Managers in Seattle
Asarco On-Site Cleanup
Piper Peterson: (206) 553-4951
Kevin Rochlin: (206) 553-2106
Asarco Sediments Cleanup
Lori Cohen: (206) 553-6523
Ruston/North Tacoma Residential Cleanup
Mary Kay Voytilla: (206) 553-2712
EPA Community Relations
Coordinator in Seattle
Michelle Pirzadeh: (206) 553-1272
EPA Community Liaison in
Ruston/Tacoma
Clayton Johnson
5013 N. Pearl St., Ruston, WA 98407
(206) 759-1321
Information Repositories
Tacoma Public Library, Main Branch
Northwest Room
1102 Tacoma Avenue South
Tacoma, Washington 98402
(206)591-5622
McCormick Regional Branch Library
3722 North 26th Street
Tacoma, Washington 98407
(206)591-5640
City of Tacoma Environmental Commission
747 Market Street
Suite 900
Tacoma, Washington 98402
(206)591-5310
Tacoma Pierce County Health Department
Water Resources
3629 South D Street
Tacoma, Washington 98408
(206)591-6553
Pacific Lutheran University Library
121st South and Park Avenue
Tacoma, Washington 98447
(206) 535-7500
Ruston Town Hall
5117 North Winnifred Street
Ruston, Washington 98407
(206) 759-3544
Washington Department of Ecology
Toxics Cleanup Program
4415 Woodview Drive, S.E.
Lacey, Washington 98503
(206) 438-3017
Environmental Protection Agency
Superfund Records Center
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-6512

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Rec stat n Entered 20190424 Replaced 20190424
Type a	ELvl K Srce d Audn	Ctrl
BLvl m Form	Conf 0 Biog	MRec
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040 ESA *b eng *e rda *c ESA
088	EPA 910/9-91-012
099	EPA 910/9-91-012
049	ESAD
245	0 4 The Asarco Tacoma smelter superfund projects : *b a brief overview / *c United States Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 10.
264	1 Seattle, WA : *b United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, *c 1991.
300	8 pages : *b color illustrations ; *c 28 cm.
336	text *b txt *2 rdacontent
337	unmediated *b n +2 rdamedia
338	volume *b nc +2 rdacarrier
500	Cover title.
500	"October 1991."
500	"EPA 910/9-91-012."
650	0 Hazardous waste site remediation tz Washington (State) *z Tacoma.
710	1 United States. *b Environmental Protection Agency. *b Region X, *e issuing body.
Delete Holdings- Export- Label- Produce- Submit- Replace- Report Error- Update Holdings-C Validate-C
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