The Sumas River flows through Washington State and into Canada, and holds a deadly secret: toxic asbestos flows along the currents. Surprisingly, the source of the asbestos contamination is not an immoral corporation, but is in fact Mother Nature herself. The asbestos in the river is naturally occurring. The hillside above the part of the river known as Swift Creek has been slowly crumbling for 50 years, releasing asbestos into the water.
"You hear the word ‘asbestos’ and you think of lung cancer and everything," said Mike Parker, who lives alongside the creek. "There have been lawsuits filed over it." Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which is linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
The EPA sent teams to study the river earlier this year to study the asbestos. "I think as long as people exercise reasonable precautions, they should be OK. But we are trying to get the word out to the public," said Linda Anderson-Carnahan of the EPA.
EPA teams found that asbestos from the hillside had washed into the river and flowed all the way into Canada. An elevated level of asbestos was found to be present near the Sumas River.
To stop the asbestos from contaminating the water, officials would need to find a way to stop the landslides, a measure that could cost millions. For the time being, officials are warning people to avoid the area. Local residents told reporters that many visitors from the Olympia area have come to see the toxic river, but all who visit – and those who reside nearby – should avoid the area.