|
 |
|
Lower Duwamish Waterway Questions and Answers
An important milestone has been achieved: Lower Duwamish Waterway contamination investigation is complete.
As part of the cleanup process for the Lower Duwamish Waterway, the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG) investigated contamination in the Waterway’s sediments. The investigation answered questions including:
- What contaminants are in the Waterway?
- What areas are most contaminated?
- What risks do those contaminants pose to humans and wildlife?
After seven years of work, the results were described in a document called a Remedial Investigation Report. The report was submitted to EPA and Ecology for their review and approval. EPA and Ecology recently completed their review of the report. They shared many of the concerns expressed by community members who came to a public meeting on November 29, 2007 to learn about the investigation.
EPA and Ecology provided comments to the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group on what revisions must be made to the report. The final Remedial Investigation Report should be ready by early 2009.
Printable Version of the Lower Duwamish Waterway Questions and Answers Fact Sheet (PDF) (6 pp. 122K, About PDF)
Responses to your Questions
To view the answer to a question click on the question to expand the answer, click it again to hide the answer.
 Is it OK to eat salmon from the Duwamish Waterway?
What about other types of fish and shellfish in the Duwamish – can I eat them?
Is it OK to walk and play on public beaches along the Duwamish Waterway?
What are the most harmful contaminants found in the Duwamish?
 What about the wildlife living in or close to the Waterway?
The Remedial Investigation included an Ecological Risk Assessment which evaluated the potential risk to animals, birds, fish and organisms that live in the Lower Duwamish Waterway. The risk assessment compared levels of contaminants in the tissues of these animals, in their food, and in the mud, to levels of ecological concern based on scientific studies.
The Ecological Risk Assessment found that PCBs are the contaminant that poses the greatest risk to mammals. The report found that river otters in the Lower Duwamish Waterway may be exposed to enough PCBs in their food to reduce the growth or survival of their offspring.
In addition, sediment in about one quarter of the Lower Duwamish Waterway contains many contaminants that exceed the State of Washington’s standards. Those standards are designed to protect worms, clams, and other organisms that live in the sand or mud. These creatures are eaten by fish and other animals, so anything that harms them affects the whole ecosystem.
After analyzing the results of the Human Health Risk Assessment and the Ecological Risk Assessment, EPA and Ecology believe that cleaning up the waterway to protect those at greatest risk – people, river otters, and organisms that live in the sediments – will protect the waterway’s fish and birds too.
How did EPA and Ecology choose seafood consumption rates to assess risks from chemicals in seafood?
Can we get some of the most contaminated areas cleaned up sooner rather than later?
Why should we try to clean up the river if there is still going to be industry and continuing contamination?
Who pays for all this work?
What were EPA and Ecology’s responses to the draft Remedial Investigation Report?
What happens next?
Where can I learn more? How can I get involved?
Lower Duwamish Waterway Site
Back to Top
[ Main Cleanup | Brownfields ]
[ Superfund | FOIA | Records Center ]
Point of contact: Renée Dagseth
E-Mail: Dagseth.Renee@epa.gov
Phone Number: (206) 553-1889
Last Updated: 06/30/2008
|