Soil by former Ohio fertilizer plant shows toxins

COLUMBUS (AP) — Environmental officials have found high levels of toxins at central Ohio properties near a former fertilizer plant.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Ohio Environmental Protection Agency investigators tested soil on nine properties near Saunders Park in Columbus. Eight of those properties showed high levels of arsenic and other toxins, and two properties also showed high lead and mercury levels.

City officials have known about toxins in the park for several years. It is located south of a fertilizer plant that closed in 1970.

A survey of 25 people living in the area showed no pattern of symptoms from arsenic or lead exposure. City officials are asking the state health department and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for assistance.