Public Health Risks in the Spokane River
currently exist to determine safe levels of PBDEs in fish
for consumption.
Chemicals and Heavy Metals
The persistent toxic chemicals of greatest public health
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 that are also of concern.
Potential adverse health effects are associated with fish
consumption from the Idaho border to Nine Mile Dam, and
recreational beach use from the Idaho border to Upriver
Dam.
Dioxins/Furans
Dioxins/furans are mostly produced as a byproduct of burning
items such as municipal waste, sludge, medical waste, and
wood and cement kilns. They can also be a byproduct of
manufacturing herbicides and pulp/paper products.
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Sources and pathways to the Spokane River
Dioxins/furans can be released into the air, soil, and
water. As part of statewide monitoring of persistent toxic
chemicals, fish tissue sampling in the Spokane River
showed elevated levels.
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Possible human health effects
Dioxins/furans are a probable human carcinogen. Noncancerous health effects include neurological, immune,
and reproductive issues. No state or federal standards
currently exist to determine safe levels in fish for
consumption.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
The Spokane River does not meet Washington State human
health criteria for PCBs in edible fish tissue.
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Sources and pathways to the Spokane River
Although banned, previous PCB releases still persist in
the environment. Further, some products with PCBs are
still in use and may release this toxic chemical into the
air, water, or soil. Overall, PCBs entering Washington
reaches of the river can be divided into the following
source categories: City of Spokane stormwater (44%),
municipal and industrial discharges (20%), and Little
Spokane River (6%). In addition, PCB loading from Idaho
at the state line represented 30% of the overall loading.
Metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and zinc are part of a group of
contaminating metals released into the environment as part
of mining, milling and ore processing.
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Sources and pathways to the Spokane River
An estimated 100 million tons of mine wastes were
released in the river system from the Upper Coeur
d’Alene Basin in Idaho. Contaminants traveled
downstream, moved through Lake Coeur d’Alene and
deposited in the Spokane River.
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Possible human health effects
Ingestion of lead and arsenic from shoreline sediments at
recreational beaches from the Idaho border to Upriver
dam are of primary concern, particularly for children
playing in the sand. Lead exposure can have multiple
adverse health effects, including behavioral and learning
problems in children, nervous system damage, kidney
damage, and reduced growth. Arsenic can also have
multiple adverse health effects, including cardiovascular
disease, stroke, and changes in the skin.
Possible human health effects
PCBs can cause acne and skin rashes, immune
deficiencies, liver disease, reproductive disorders, and
neurological and behavioral problems. They are also a
probable human carcinogen.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
PBDEs are chemical additives used in everyday household
products as flame retardants.
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Sources and pathways to the Spokane River
PBDEs can leach out of manufactured items and enter
the air, soil and water. Specific pathways to the Spokane
River are being evaluated and have been detected in
sediment, storm water, and sewage from residential and
industrial sources.
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Possible human health effects
In lab tests with animals, some PBDEs are linked with
deficits in brain development (learning, memory and
behavior) and thyroid problems. Most health problems
stem from pre-natal and newborn exposure. Testing in
2006 showed fish in the Spokane River had the highest
levels of PBDEs sampled in Washington State.
Concentrations were highest in the Nine Mile area of the
Spokane River. No federal or state standards, however,
Elevated levels of lead, cadmium and zinc are also
present in fish tissue. Their presence in the water and
sediments also represents a risk to aquatic life.
Spokane River Clean up and
Restoration
Clean up and restoration activities of popular shoreline areas
began in 2006. At the Starr Road Recreation area, a
combination of digging out and reconstruction of shoreline
areas and capping was used. This isolates the public from
exposure to lead and arsenic while also restoring important
aquatic habitat. Metals were also capped and isolated from
the river environment behind Upriver Dam as part of the PCB
cleanup work.
Beach recreation sites related to the Coeur d’Alene Basin
metals cleanup action under the Record of Decision for the
Spokane River:
Completed sites:
 Starr Road (2006): EPA Lead Site
 Island Complex (2007): State Lead Site
 Murray Road (2007): State Lead Site
 Harvard Road North (2008): State Lead Site
 Flora Road (2009): State Lead Site
Pending sites (state lead):
 Barker Road North
 Barker Road South
 Myrtle Point
 Islands Lagoon
These sites have received funding; cleanup (likely
capping) for all four remaining sites is scheduled during
late summer 2012, during low river flows.
Completed PCB sites:
 Upriver Dam (2006): State Lead Site
This site was capped. This remedy will also likely
address the metals contamination (basin-related)
that had accumulated behind the dam along with
the PCBs.
 Donkey Island (2007): State Lead Site
Biological Hazards
Illnesses potential from biological organisms is possible with
any natural body of water. Illness potential on the Spokane
River increases with raw sewage discharges, livestock runoff,
abundant waterfowl and aquatic mammals. Increased illness
potential is associated with impaired water quality from high
organic and nutrient loads.
Intestinal microorganisms
Elevated levels of indicator bacteria, such as E. Coli and
enterococcus, is associated with gastroenteritis from
recreational water. The following microorganisms have been
known to cause illness associated with recreational water
use:
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Giardia*
Cryptosporidium*
Shigella*
Salmonella*
Hepatitis A*
Coxackie A and B
Norwalk virus
E.coli 0157:H7*
Leptospirosi
Other microorganisms
Found in the environment which cause infections or diseases
 Pseudomonas aeruginosa
 Schistosome cercarial
 Staphylococcus sp.
 Legionella sp.*
 Naegleria fowleri
 Mycobacterium sp.
 Vibrio sp.*
*reportable
For more information, contact:
Mike LaScuola
Environmental Health Specialist
Spokane Regional Health District
509.324.XXXX
mlascuola@spokanecounty.org
Presentation to the Board of Health, July 28, 2011