From the Squaxin Island Tribe’s blog this morning:
Preliminary data released today by the state Department of Ecology has identified dioxin in sediment throughout Oakland Bay.
Outside of Shelton Harbor, the dioxin is distributed uniformly with an average concentration of 35 parts per trillion (ppt or pg/g). “At first glance, the distribution pattern suggests the dioxin may be a historical legacy,” said John Konovsky, the tribe’s environmental program manager.
Oakland Bay is a very productive shellfish growing area. Studies elsewhere suggest there is very little connection between dioxin concentrations found in sediment and contamination in shellfish…
Read the entire post from the tribe here.
The state Department of Ecology’s press release is here.
Here is more information on the state’s dioxin study.