Center For Justice

Spokane River Project Contaminant Guide

Chemicals and Heavy Metals in the Spokane River

Persistent bioaccumulative toxins of greatest concern are PCBs (a man-made chemical), PBDEs (a new generation of flame retardant) and dioxins/furans. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc are heavy metals released from mining operations and are also of concern.

Potential human health impacts are tied to eating ﬁsh caught between the Idaho border and Nine Mile Dam. Sediments of certain recreational beaches from the Idaho border to Upriver Dam are also of concern. The Washington Department of Health responded with recommended limits to eating ﬁsh in parts of the Spokane River. They also recommend special precautions when preparing ﬁsh to eat. The Washington Department of Ecology and other agencies are actively cleaning up and restoring certain contaminated beaches identiﬁed as areas of potential risk. Reducing or eliminating toxic chemicals in the river is a very difficult challenge because:

Pathways to the river vary widely.
While most toxic substances are directly deposited in the river, others migrate to the river via tributaries, runoff, stormwater drains, and air particulates over a period of days or years.
Sources are both near and far away.
It is fairly easy to understand the effects of an industrial plant located on the river bank. It is a little harder to understand the effects of a mining operation 100 miles or so upstream. Still harder to understand are toxic chemicals from household, industrial, or farming products that often ﬁnd their way into the river via ground water, stormwater drains, or wastewater treatment facilities. Even more difficult to grasp are the possible effects of a coal-ﬁred power plant or incinerators located hundreds of miles away. All, however, can contribute to contaminants in the Spokane River.
Regulatory Practices.
Sometimes, as with PCBs, toxic chemicals are only banned after years of being released into the environment. In the case of PBDEs, knowledge is still limited and national or state standards for safe levels are still not in place. In addition, some chemicals are regulated but become too concentrated in certain locations. This may happen when persistent chemicals deposited in an area build up over time. Some deposits build up when persistent chemicals travel to a location via air and water.

Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort across many public agencies, private industries, environmental groups, citizens and others with expertise and commitment to meeting the needs of the Spokane River.