Dangerously high levels of arsenic were recently discovered in the soil between the Kreeger and Hamilton buildings on the South side of campus. The dangerous soil is 2.5 feet below the ground and registers 106,000 parts per million of arsenic. This means that 10 percent of the soil is arsenic. The government recommends people take action when soil is 20 ppm of arsenic.
Prolonged exposure to arsenic can cause diabetes, liver disease, cancer, thickening of the skin and digestive problems, according to the BBC.
In reality, someone would have to essentially eat the soil in order to become ill. Landscapers digging in the contaminated area are at risk if the soil flies while they're digging and it inadvertently gets in their mouths.
AU students live, work and play around this soil. Even if it's not a direct or immediate risk, it's still serious. We should be better informed about the discovery and clean-up process.
The lack of communication can't be blamed completely on the university, though. Other than some crack reporting by The Eagle and coverage in The Northwest Current, the issue has been mostly ignored by media outlets. Where's the big Post expos? on the issue? Maybe someone should set Bob Woodward on the hunt.
