FAQ: Investigate and report toxic releases

Discover potential sources of hazardous substances:

• Closely inspect the property indoors and out using the Property Inspection Checklist
• Use the Records Search Checklist to find past uses of the property
• Explore the "What’s in my neighborhood?" interactive map
• Check our site lists and searchable databases
• Contact a public records officer for help reviewing files or obtaining document copies

• Research past uses of the property. Use the records search checklist to find out what types of businesses operated there.
• Knowing the past history may give you clues about potential chemical contaminants. Read our Hazardous Waste: More common than you think fact sheet for typical hazardous wastes generated by common business types.
• Collect samples to be analyzed by a lab. Learn how to collect samples. You can also seek help from Washington's Department of Health or your local health department.

You might be concerned about potentially harmful effects on your family, friends, employees, and customers. These pages discuss specific chemicals and their effects:

• What is dangerous waste?
• Hazardous Substance Information & Education Office
• Contaminants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites -- FAQs

Information on specific contaminants

• Arsenic in the environment
• Asbestos information from the Washington Department of Health
• Asbestos Information from the US Environmental Protection Agency
• Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation
• Don't Mess With Mercury (brochure)
• Mercury Information from the Washington Department of Health
• PBDEs (flame retardant chemicals)
• Prevent Lead Poisoning

• Drinking water. If you've noticed unusual taste or odor in your drinking water, or change in quality or color, consider buying bottled water or find an alternate water source. Visit Washington's Department of Health for more information on drinking water.
• Soil contamination. If you suspect contaminated soil, check out:
  • Dirt Alert (arsenic and lead in soil)
  • Healthy Actions for arsenic and lead contaminated soils
• Flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs). Concerned about exposure to PBDEs? Check out this FAQ.
• Health advisories. Check with your local health department or Department of Health to see if any health advisories are in effect in your area.
• Local resources for more information. Your city or county website may have other helpful information, such as Thurston County's Protect Kids from Toxics.

Yes. Real estate law requires disclosure of known contamination.
See: Sellers’ Disclosures - "Form 17", Chapter 64.06.020 RCW.
You might also consult a real estate attorney before buying or selling property with a history of contamination.

• You must report emergency situations immediately (hazardous substance spills, illegal drug labs). Go to the Report a Spill page and follow instructions for Dangerous Waste.
• You must report releases of hazardous substances from Leaking Underground Storage Tanks within 24 hours of discovery. See our focus sheet on underground storage tank spills or releases for instructions.
• You must report all other environmental incidents within 90 days of discovery. See Site Discovery & Reporting and Report an Environmental Issue.

For emergency situations (spills of hazardous substances, drug labs), you should know as many details as possible — but report the spill even if you don't have a lot of details!

• Where is the spill or incident (complete address, directions)?
• What spilled? How much? How concentrated is the spilled material?
• Who spilled the material?
• Is anyone cleaning it up?
• Natural resource damages? (dead fish, oily birds)
• Who is reporting the spill? How can we contact you?

• Contact information about the person reporting the problem.
• Description of the problem and complete location information (address, directions).
• Information about who may have caused the problem.

Emergencies (spills, drug labs): Our Spills program, the Department of Health Drug Lab Cleanup Program, or your local jurisdiction will coordinate an emergency response.

Tanks (Leaking Underground Storage Tanks): Reports of leaking tanks are referred for an initial investigation. The investigator may visit the site to do an inspection or collect samples. If petroleum products or other hazardous substances are present at actionable levels, timely action is needed.

Other Incidents: We may contact you for follow-up information. Ecology will conduct an initial investigation within 90 days. The investigation may include a site visit or sampling. An initial investigation may lead to an emergency or interim action, site hazard assessment and ranking, or a "No Further Action" decision.

If a problem is not reported or resolved, it will likely become a worse problem later on. Things that might happen from an unreported problem include:

• The problem worsening, and costing much more to clean up later
• Harmful effects to your health (and others) and the environment
• If contamination moves off-site, owner(s) of neighboring properties may sue you
• Banks may deny loans to a prospective buyer, or loans to improve the property
• You may not be able to sell the property
• Fines or penalties may be levied (depending on the situation and which laws apply)
• We may take enforcement action against the responsible person(s)
• We may step in and do a cleanup, then try to recover costs from the responsible persons later