On Monday, the City and Borough of Wrangell announced the results of a preliminary analysis of soil samples collected at the former Byford junkyard at approximately 4-mile on Zimovia Highway.
Conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) late last summer, the tests show high levels of lead and other metals at the property that could pose a risk to human health. The tests were requested by Wrangell in order to begin developing a cleanup plan to enable reuse of the property.
The yard—Lot Y2, Tract Y, USS 2321—was previously used for salvage operations and was acquired by the city through foreclosure. The high concentrations of lead at the site, documented in both surface and subsurface soils, are well in excess of the 400 parts-per-million deemed “safe” by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Based on the preliminary results of sample analyses, concentrations measured on properties adjacent to the junkyard do not pose a risk to human health.
To protect Wrangell residents, signs advising the public of the potential health risks will be posted and access to the site prohibited. However, the city would also like to caution residents who might clam on the beach in front of the Byford property, as shellfish harvested in this area could be contaminated with lead and other metals transported by water runoff from the Byford property. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is currently evaluating data to determine whether the levels of metals in shellfish pose a health risk.
Lead is a heavy but soft, malleable metal that has extensive uses. While certain uses of lead are banned, it is still found in many materials and products including lead-acid batteries and paints. Exposure to high lead levels can affect nearly every system in the body, and children are the most vulnerable to the adverse effects.
Oversight for this investigation is provided by DEC’s Contaminated Sites Program and the EPA Region 10 Office of Environmental Cleanup. The EPA, with support from the City and Borough of Wrangell and the DEC, is currently developing an action plan to conduct a cleanup of the most contaminated areas on the property.
For further information, please contact the city at 874-2381 or DEC at 465-5390.
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