Olympia beachcombers warned about harmful compound

“Beachfront property in Puget Sound’s Lower Budd Inlet is about to get dozens of new advisory signs letting people know it’s a good idea to avoid the water and soil in some areas. A harmful compound called Dioxin has been found in the sediment all around the area.

Local activist Harry Branch says people should avoid concentrated levels, which he says easily penetrates the skin.

“I don’t think any person should be exposed to Dioxin,” said Branch. “It damages your DNA. It causes birth defects, cancer. It can precipitate a whole cascade of health impacts.”

An old pole plant, along with everyday pollutants, are responsible for the mess. State officials say recent testing shows sediment here contains Dioxin at levels more than 50 parts-per-trillion way higher than health officials think is safe.

The health department has put up some signs in the past to warn people not to eat the fish, but Branch says they need to go further,” quoting Seattle’s KING-5 News.