Asarco Hayden Exposure Investigation

In Hayden and Winkelman, Arizona, there are high levels of lead and arsenic in the air, mine waste piles, and soil in some non-residential locations.

• The air has lead and arsenic in it from smelting processes.
• Some non-residential soil has lead and arsenic that has settled out of the air onto the soil over time. Some lead and arsenic may have come from other sources as well. EPA and Asarco have cleaned up lead and arsenic in soil in residential and public areas in the towns.
• Mine waste piles are located in and around the towns and are accessible to people in the area.

ATSDR and its partners the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) conducted an exposure investigation. People in the community may have come into contact with lead and arsenic in the air and soil. In addition, people may come into contact with lead form old paint or other sources in their homes, and with arsenic in their diets. EPA asked ATSDR to offer blood and urine testing for people in the community to measure lead and arsenic levels... Continue »