High levels of arsenic contamination have been found in the soil of a residential community on Kauai's north shore, and some of the arsenic was found at a home.
For a month crews took soil samples on the grounds of the former Kilauea sugar mill.
It was there state health officials discovered that pesticides used at the mill as early as the 1920's are still in the ground.
Environmental health workers determined the highest concentration was near a commercial building on Aalona Place.
The soil samples tested about 80 times higher than the acceptable levels for residential areas.
One yard of a house was found to have 30 times the acceptable amount.
"It's over 20-30 years now since this has happened and you know these chemicals are dangerous and we need to make sure that if we know of areas that these chemicals were used then we need to stay on top of it," said Rep. James Tokioka.
"To make sure the kids aren't playing in the dirt, eating the dirt. From what I hear that's how you can get exposed to these type of things, yeah stress cleanliness," said Rep. Dee Morikawa.
"How did they attain the zoning to place these types of homes on property not just used for farming but actually the mill site where toxic chemicals were being used?" wonders Rep. Ryan Yamane who is the health committee chair.
Health officials don't believe anyone got sick.
They say risk of exposure is unlikely unless the soil was consumed.
The Department of Health is considering removing the contaminated top soil and capping off the site with concrete.
Other properties located in the area are slated for testing.
