Annual asbestos warning goes out to people living near Swift Creek and Sumas Mountain

An annual asbestos postcard reminder for people living near Swift Creek and the Sumas River has been sent out by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

“This reminder goes out every summer to people living near Swift Creek to remind them that the dry conditions can cause asbestos fibers to become airborne, and to avoid activities that can stir up dry sediment,” Jennifer Hayden, Environmental Health Supervisor with Whatcom County Health and Community Services told The Bellingham Herald in an email.

The postcard warns people to avoid walking, driving, cycling, horse riding, or disturbing the riverbed or dredge piles in anyway along Swift Creek and downstream Sumas River. People should assume that floodwater, dirt, mud and soil from Swift Creek and downstream Sumas River contain asbestos.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that increases the risk of lung disease such as cancer. Asbestos exposure may not show for years after exposure. The fibers can occur naturally in certain types rock and soil, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Naturally occurring sediment with asbestos and metals are deposited into the creek by a slow-moving landslide on Sumas Mountain. The 225-acre landslide has been continually depositing these materials since 2005, according to the department.

Swift Creek is dredged by Whatcom County to limit the sediment and downstream flooding, according to ecology department.

The postcard contains links to more information on the situation what to do if there is a flood.

The Swift Creek project is located east of Everson, near Sumas Mountain.