53 years since the Bunkerhill Mine fire caused the largest number of lead poisoning cases in US history, the site of this industrial tragedy remains contaminated.
Lead does not biodegrade. It remains in the soil along waterways. It is estimated that the Coeur d’Alene River delivers 200 tons of lead to Lake Coeur d’Alene annually. An average of 50 to 60 migratory Tundra Swans, who dig in the soil along streams for food, die each year.
Of course, among humans children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning.
Stay Informed
Read an article with up-to-date information on the Bunkerhill Superfund Site at TheConversion.com: 50 years after the Bunkerhill mine fire caused one of the largest lead poisoning cases in US history, Idaho’s Silver Valley is still at risk.
The article is written by Martin Schiavenato, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Gonzaga University. He can be reached at Schiavenato@gonzaga.edu.