PHD: Recreation may increase lead exposure

As warmer weather returns, people are spending more time in North Idaho's outdoors. Panhandle Health District wants to remind residents and visitors in the Silver Valley and the Coeur d’Alene River Basin to go about recreation activities responsibly to protect their health.

Historic mining, milling, smelting and disposal activities employed in the Silver Valley led to widespread heavy metal contamination hazards found throughout the region, a PHD press release said.

Although these practices took place decades ago, there is still an abundance of contaminated materials left behind that continues to be a threat to health, PHD said.