Be mindful of toxic exposures

As summer recreation season creeps slowly into view, being aware of potentially toxic exposures should not be ignored.

Just a few simple measures can help outdoor enthusiasts stay safe while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the Silver Valley.

Outside from simply following the basic posted signage that is throughout the area, one of the easiest ways to stay safe is to make sure that your property has been remediated.

Property cleanups, or remediations, reduce exposure to lead and other potentially toxic metals.

During a standard property remediation, the commonplace practice is to remove the top six to 12 inches of soil — usually where the heaviest levels of contamination are present — and then replacing it with clean soil or other materials such as grass.

Over the years, the Coeur d’Alene Work Trust in conjunction with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality have remediated more than 7,000 properties throughout Shoshone County and the outlying areas, including several residential and commercial properties, rights-of-way and private drinking water sources.

Any property that has not been remediated at this time is likely due to the property owners refusing access or not responding to attempts by the IDEQ or CDA Work Trust to contact them and get a site sample taken.

If you are a property owner in Shoshone County and are concerned as to if your property has been remediated, please contact IDEQ at 208-783-5781.

Another simple safety tip for parents in the area is to contact the local Panhandle Health District office concerning a blood lead screening.

PHD canceled its annual blood lead testing event in 2020 due to COVID-19 and is still feeling out its plans regarding holding a testing event in 2021.

However, individual blood lead screenings are always free with an appointment and any person who lives, works or plays within the area attached to the Bunker Hill Superfund Site is eligible for a test.

Lead exposure can cause severe health problems, especially in young children and pregnant women.

“Children suffer effects from lead exposure at much lower levels,” PHD Program Manager Andy Helkey said in a previous interview. “Because lead exposure often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized. There is no safe lead threshold for the adverse effects of lead on infant or child neurodevelopment that has been identified.”

For more information on blood lead screening, contact the Panhandle Health District at 208-783-0707.