Lead and antimony contamination detected in soil samples near the Marine Corps shooting range at Ewa Beach has sparked calls for further investigation amid worries from neighbors and state officials over health risks.
Christina Jedra reports for Honolulu Civil Beat.
In short:
- Testing found lead levels exceeding state safety limits in six sites near the Pu‘uloa Range, with one sample showing levels 26 times above acceptable thresholds.
- Health officials urge further testing to assess contamination risks to nearby neighborhoods and to state waters, as traceable dust and erosion may carry toxins.
- Community members, backed by a state legislator, are pushing for the range’s relocation due to potential exposure risks.
Key quote:
“They need to follow through and correct the problem. The health of our fragile ecosystems and public health should not pay the price.”
— Hanna Lilley, Hawaii regional manager of the Surfrider Foundation
Why this matters:
Lead and antimony contamination poses significant health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women. Potential spread through dust or water channels increases the chance of exposure for nearby communities, highlighting a need for transparent oversight and potential remediation.
Related EHN coverage:
