Asbestos dumped illegally in Jefferson County

Local, state and federal agencies are trying to discover who dumped the bags and currently have no leads.

PORT TOWNSEND — The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency and other agencies are investigating one of the area’s largest illegal dumps of asbestos in a decade.

More than 100 bags of materials containing the dangerous asbestos fibers were found at two locations in Jefferson County earlier this month.

“It’s one of the larger ones in the Puget Sound Region” in the past 10 years or so, according to Pinky Feria Mingo, an air quality specialist with Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, which covers six counties including Jefferson and Clallam. She also works with Jefferson County Public Health.

Illegal to dump

“It’s illegal to dump asbestos like this. It’s required to go to a landfill, and there’s a lot of regulations on asbestos.”

Local, state and federal agencies are trying to discover who dumped the bags and currently have no leads.

“We’re looking at all our permits in the area and into other areas hoping to find a lead,” Feria Mingo said.

“If they didn’t get a permit for it, we’re not going to find it that way.”

The first 55 bags were found on a state Department of Natural Resources road in the Cape George area Sept. 14.

A resident found the bags while on a walk on the road, Feria Mingo said.

All 55 bags were double-wrapped in bags used to dispose of asbestos. They had asbestos warnings printed on them.

Those bags have been removed. DNR disposed of them Sept. 23.

Another 52 bags, also with asbestos warnings, were found at Anderson Lake on Sept. 19. Those have been taken to Fort Flagler and are still there, according to Feria Mingo.

Feria Mingo said it is very uncommon to find asbestos disposed of like this, especially in this high quantity.

“The EPA is aware of the case, but we’re not commenting further,” said Mark MacIntyre, a Seattle spokesman for the EPA.

According to the EPA, asbestos is a mineral fiber and occurs in rock and soil. It is commonly used in building projects due to its strength and heat resistance.

Exposure to asbestos fibers can increase the risk of lung cancer; mesothelioma, a cancer found in the lining of lungs, chest and heart; or asbestosis, a progressive and long-term disease affecting the lungs.

Jefferson County does not accept asbestos at this time. Instead, those checking the website at jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com are urged to call the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency at 800-422-5623 for permitting and disposal information.

Anyone with information about the dumping in East Jefferson County is urged to contact Feria Mingo at 360-338-6419.

________

Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

A street sweeper on I Street in Port Angeles cleans up the street along the curbs of all the debris that blew down during Tuesday evening’s storm. Thousands were without power at the peak of the storm. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Storm causes power outages, road closures

Smaller weather system may hit Friday

Port Angeles funds lodging tax requests

Sixteen applications to undergo review

Port Townsend’s Water Street sewer project gets funds

City council authorizes contracts; construction to start in January

Port of Port Angeles commissioners approve 2025 budget

Board OKs project that would treat seawater to make it less acidic

Two injured after truck collides with tree

Two people were injured when the truck in which… Continue reading

Power out for thousands in Clallam County

More than 11,000 electric meters were without power in… Continue reading

Shay-Lyn Szczepanik and her daughter Raelynn, 5, of Port Angeles are wind blown as they try to watch the wild waves at the base of Ediz Hook on Tuesday as the storm approaches. Many other weather watchers went to the spit to see and feel the winds. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Storm surge

Shay-Lyn Szczepanik and her daughter Raelynn, 5, of Port Angeles are wind… Continue reading

Fire Marshal and floodplain administrator Phil Cecere answers questions with deputy floodplain administrator Greg Ballard on Monday night in Brinnon. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Jefferson commissioners update flood code

More than 70 people attend hearing in Brinnon

PASD board accepts Brewer’s resignation

School officials highlight performance of Native American students

Port Angeles lifts Stage III water restrictions

The city of Port Angeles has lifted all of… Continue reading

Chipotle Mexican Grill opens today at 2021, Suite B, U.S. Highway 101 in Port Angeles. The fast food restaurant features freshly prepared burritos, burrito bowls, salads and tacos. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Chipotle opens in Port Angeles

Chipotle Mexican Grill opens today at 2021, Suite B, U.S. Highway 101… Continue reading

Agnes Kioko and Regina Mbaluku of Kenya and Bonita Piper, board president of Path From Poverty, right, meet with Sequim volunteers who cut and sell wood as a fundraiser. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Connection helps Kenyan women with opportunities, relationships

This effort, gifts from thousands of miles away, aren’t just… Continue reading