Possible arsenic exposure probed

By Erin Nicholes - 10/30/2008

Hope Bowers, 3, left, shows her mom Katie Bowers, 27, her project built from blocks while her brother Dawson, 7, on the far right, plays with his grandmother Renae Adams, 45. The family is temporarily living in a motel while officials determine whether they've been exposed to arsenic at Cedar Park Homes. Erin Nicholes / The Montana Standard

ANACONDA — In a small motel room with two queen beds, Katie Bowers entertained her 3-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son with blocks Wednesday.

The tight-quartered Tradewinds Motel is the family's temporary home. Bowers, her kids and her mom left their Cedar Park Homes apartment last week after blood tests revealed possible arsenic exposure.

"I'm scared," said Bowers' mom, Renae Adams, 45.

The Anaconda family's blood-arsenic levels have caught the attention of local and federal officials, who said Wednesday the situation warrants precaution, but not panic.

"There's an indication that they've been exposed," said Linda Best, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County public health nurse, adding that other family members, all with a connection to Cedar Park Homes, have been tested, too. "We're not really sure what the implications of this are, or even if there are any." The current test results do not indicate a public health threat, federal environmental officials said Wednesday.

"Based on preliminary results, there's no indication that there's unexpected exposure or exposure that would raise alarm," said Superfund site supervisor Charlie Coleman of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "The values that were shared are in line with studies, including a study in Anaconda in the past." Research has shown people who live in smelting communities typically have higher arsenic levels than those in non-smelting communities, he said.

Still, officials are taking precautions.

Soil and dust sampling at Cedar Park Homes — low-income housing on north Cedar Street — is planned, and the family will undergo further testing by a Missoula specialist Thursday.

The results will determine the next step, said Jim Kuipers, the county's Superfund technical adviser.

"The levels we've seen thus far are not in the range typically seen as harmful ... but we want to make sure and exhaust all the resources we can to make sure that's the case," he said. "We hope to have a clear plan and all this resolved by Friday." Meanwhile, Bowers and Adams, who have lived in Cedar Park Homes since 2002, expressed relief that their concerns are being taken seriously.

"It's just about the truth and getting the kids well," Bowers said.

The family, she said, first visited a doctor last summer after everyone experienced severe headaches, and the children, Hope and Dawson, also lost their appetites and became agitated. Adams pressed for heavy-metals testing after noticing the ailments worsened when Superfund cleanup work began around Cedar Park Homes.

"We were sitting outside watching people dig one day," said Adams, adding the headaches make her unable to work. "I said, ‘Katie, it's arsenic.' I asked for a blood test for arsenic, lead and whatever else is in the area." While the results indicated possible arsenic exposure, three physicians have said the levels are not toxic. But Bowers and Adams said they are convinced the contaminant is making them sick.

"We want answers," Adams said. "We want the truth. There are a lot of people down at Cedar Park Homes suffering from the same thing." More information will be released Friday.

Reporter Erin Nicholes may be reached at erin.nicholes@lee.net.

 For more info ...

People who have questions or concerns about arsenic exposure are encouraged to call County Public Health Nurse Linda Best at

563-7863.

Residents can minimize the risk of arsenic exposure by following simple steps, Best said.

Both adults and children should wash their hands, especially after playing outside, before eating. Also, damp-mopping areas when kids come in from outside, leaving shoes at the door and dusting with damp rags can also minimize exposure.