“Question: What’s the problem?

Answer: Dioxin has been detected in Budd Inlet sediments at levels exceeding typical background levels in an urban environment. Urban background levels of dioxin could be slightly more than 10 parts per trillion while Budd Inlet sediments range from 0.1 ppt to 52.7 ppt. The dioxin level set for open water disposal of dredged sediments from Budd Inlet is 3.8 ppt.

Q: Why should I be concerned?

A: Dioxin is a family of chemicals that can accumulate in the environment, build up in the food chain and cause health problems, including cancer, in humans. Dioxin in the sediments of Budd Inlet are adding time delays and cost to a Port of Olympia and Army Corps of Engineers dredging project to maintain the shipping channel. Port critics point to the dioxin contamination as a reason to question the viability of a marine cargo terminal at the port,” quoting The Olympian.