We learned that in 2011, the soil and groundwater near Old Smokey were found to have concentrations of lead and cadmium above the safe exposure thresholds set by Miami-Dade County. Earlier his year, more tests verified this contamination and also found higher concentrations of arsenic and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Incinerator ash (with very high levels of contaminants) was found in half the sampled locations. One-third of the soil samples contained concentrations of BaP that were higher than the thresholds set for industrial areas. BaP is highly carcinogenic, and soil contaminated with BaP is one of the most serious sources of toxicity in children.
It gets worse. More than two-thirds of the samples contained unsafe concentrations of arsenic. (One sample had concentrations more than four times above the safety limit set for residential communities). The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists “arsenic as a Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term exposure is associated with higher risks of skin, lung, pancreatic and bladder cancer, childhood developmental disabilities, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” The environmental tests also found dangerous concentrations of lead, barium and cadmium.
It gets worse. More than two-thirds of the samples contained unsafe concentrations of arsenic. (One sample had concentrations more than four times above the safety limit set for residential communities). The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists “arsenic as a Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term exposure is associated with higher risks of skin, lung, pancreatic and bladder cancer, childhood developmental disabilities, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” The environmental tests also found dangerous concentrations of lead, barium and cadmium.