Home / Environment / Lead Contamination Found in Interbay; Cleanup Underway
Lead Contamination Found in Interbay; Cleanup Underway
29 Aug
Summary
- Elevated lead levels were found on a block in Interbay, Seattle.
- Roadway samples showed 55.3 ppm, catch basin samples 451 ppm.
- Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with public advised to stay away.
King County Public Health (KCPH) announced on August 28, 2026, the discovery of significantly elevated lead levels along the 4200 block of 23rd Ave W in Interbay. Testing conducted in July 2026 revealed lead concentrations of 55.3 parts per million (ppm) in roadway samples and a startling 451 ppm in a stormwater catch basin, far exceeding Washington's threshold of 5 ppm.
A specialized contractor commenced cleanup operations on August 27, 2026. Despite these efforts, KCPH strongly advises the public to avoid the entire block, particularly the alley between 22nd Ave W and 23rd Ave W, until the contamination is fully remediated. Lead-contaminated dust poses a risk of being tracked into homes, vehicles, and workplaces.
KCPH noted that the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) had previously investigated a nearby battery company, Dyno Battery, in March 2026. L&I fined the company for exposing workers to lead and issued a warning about potential lead tracking into the environment. However, the source of the current contamination remains unconfirmed, and further testing is in progress.
