Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Mercury, called quicksilver by miners, is silver to white, and the only metal which is liquid at room temperature. It is typically extracted from the mineral cinnabar by heating the crushed ore. Mercury is highly toxic and can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled as mercury vapor. Mercury may also enter the food chain and become a health hazard to animals and humans. The Washington Geological Survey has compiled data pertaining to historic prospects and (or) mines within Washington known to have produced mercury as a primary commodity or as a byproduct of mining.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Asbestos is the general term for a number of minerals belonging to the serpentine and amphibole groups that have similar properties. Asbestiform minerals are composed of very thin, long fibrous crystals, and it is this fibrous nature that makes them dangerous. Asbestos is frequently associated with serpentinite and partially serpentinized ultramafic/ultrabasic rocks (however, not all ultrabasic rocks are serpentinite bearing). The Washington Geological Survey has compiled data pertaining to historic prospects and (or) mines within Washington known to have produced asbestos as a primary commodity or as a byproduct of mining.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Arsenic is found in many rocks and minerals and is generally associated with sulfur. The most common arsenic minerals are arsenopyrite, and the sulfides, realgar and orpiment. These minerals can cause respiratory problems when inhaled, particularly at mine sites that are popular for motorized recreational vehicle use. Additionally, water discharged from metal mine openings may contain these same minerals in solution and present a health hazard to humans and animals. Arsenic is especially dangerous when it contaminates groundwater and poisons drinking water.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The Washington Geological Survey has compiled data pertaining to historic prospects and (or) mines within Washington known to have produced arsenic as a primary commodity or as a byproduct of mining.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Asbestos is the general term for a number of minerals belonging to the serpentine and amphibole groups that have similar properties. Asbestiform minerals are composed of very thin, long fibrous crystals, and it is this fibrous nature that makes them dangerous. Asbestos is frequently associated with serpentinite and partially serpentinized ultramafic/ultrabasic rocks (however, not all ultrabasic rocks are serpentinite bearing). WGS has compiled data pertaining to historic prospects and (or) mines within Washington known to have produced asbestos as a primary commodity or as a byproduct of mining. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN>This layer differs from Asbestos Locations in that it displays rock units that potentially contain asbestos, compiled from 1:100,000-scale geologic maps, rather than specific locations known to have produced asbestos as a primary commodity or mined a mineral type that can potentially produce asbestos.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Radon is produced by natural radioactive decay of uranium (and (or) thorium) and is particularly associated with uraniferous two-mica granites. Radon is carcinogenic and a prominent cause of lung cancer. Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it exceptionally hazardous, as its presence is revealed only by specific detectors. This layer contains the locations of historic metallic mines within the State of Washington known to have produced uranium as a primary commodity or as a by-product of the mining.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>The Washington Geological Survey has compiled data from 1:100,000-scale geologic mapping and a uranium-bearing mineral geology dataset produced by Goetz (1993) to produce a classified dataset showing radon hazard. In this dataset the potential for uranium in the rocks and soils is classified as high, moderately high, moderate, variable, or low.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>