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Elevated levels of arsenic were found in two sections of Ewa Villages in 1999, but state Health Department officials say they don't pose any danger to residents. Health officials:
Arsenic in Ewa Villages’
soil not dangerousBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-BulletinThe Health Department's Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office found soil samples at Village Green Park with arsenic levels of 123 and 89.3 parts per million.
The "preliminary remediation goal," a safety standard, for arsenic set by the Environmental Protection Agency is 22 parts per million. The two samples were taken between 1 to 2 feet under grass covering and about 10 feet from the property lines of residents.
Meanwhile, soil sampling at a property on Kuuwelu Place, near a former fumigant storage shed, found 54.4 ppm of arsenic in 1.5 to 2 feet of soil.
The levels are considered far from dangerous, said Deputy Health Director Gary Gill.
"We do not believe there is a threat to human health and therefore no further action appears necessary," Gill said, noting that arsenic is a common ingredient in weed killers.
Barbara Brooks, a staff toxicologist with the Health Department, said the EPA standards assume extreme exposure including daily and direct contact for 30 years or more.
Brooks said the grass covering at the park site makes it even less likely that the arsenic would have adverse impacts on people.
Gill said the soil was tested for elevated levels of other contaminants but no others were found.
The city, which purchased the property and has attempted to revitalize Ewa Villages, former site of Ewa Sugar Plantation, last year sued Campbell Estate and Oahu Sugar for not cleaning up all environment contamination.
Carol Costa, spokeswoman for Mayor Jeremy Harris, said administration officials were made aware of the findings this week. Five to six area families, who purchased the homes from the city, were notified by the Department of Customer Services.