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by

Jackie Hunt Christensen

Ironite is one fertilizer that bills itself as a "natural soil supplement . . . popular choice for home, lawn and garden for 43 years. Nothing greens like Ironite. Will not burn." Ironite is made from a 60 acre pile of mine tailings located at a Superfund-nominate site. Testing by state agencies in Washington and Minnesota in 1998 and 1999 found dangerously high levels of arsenic and lead. Mercury also grossly exceeded the minimal risk levels. Serious soil and food contamination can result with repeated applications of Ironite. The Washington State Department of Health issued an advisory warning of the potential poisoning risk to small children.