INTERBAY, Wash. — King County Public Health (KCPH) has discovered elevated levels of lead along one block in Interbay, today, Aug. 28.
According to a press release from KCPH, the lead contamination is located along the 4200 block of 23rd Ave W, with samples being taken from a roadway and a stormwater catch basin.
These specific samples were taken back in July 2026, with results later being confirmed in August 2026.
According to the KCPH, there were 55.3 parts per million (ppm) in the roadway and 451 ppm in catch basin. The Washington threshold is 5 ppm.
The press release notes that a “specialized contractor” worked on the main affected areas yesterday, Aug. 27.
Even with the clean-up, KCPH urges you to stay away from the entire block, and especially, the alley between 22nd Ave W and 23rd Ave W, as they work to clean up the area.
“Lead-contaminated dust can be carried on shoes and on stroller and wheelchair wheels and tracked into homes, vehicles and workplaces,” the press release reads. “Pedestrians who have recently been in the affected area can take simple precautions, including removing shoes before entering their home and wiping stroller or wheelchair wheels with a damp cloth.”
KCPH notes in their release that Washington Labor and Industries (L&I) recently conducted an investigation into a nearby battery company, Dyno Battery.
L&I fined Dyno Battery for exposing workers to lead back in March 2026, according to KCPH’s press release. After the investigation, L&I warned KCPH that workers may be tracking lead back home and that there could be possible contamination in the nearby environment, according to the same release.
That being said, more testing is currently underway, as the source of the lead contamination is still unknown and not confirmed to be related to Dyno Battery.
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