Jump to main content.

Fact Sheet

March 2008

EPA Announces Public Meeting, Jefferson County Lead Superfund Site, Jefferson County, Missouri

Introduction

EPA Region 7 is hosting a public meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at De Soto Junior High School in De Soto, Missouri.  The purpose of the meeting is to provide the local community with information about the Jefferson County Lead Superfund Site. 

During the meeting, representatives from the EPA, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and federal, state and local health agencies will be available to answer questions from the public.

SITE BACKGROUND

Jefferson County is part of Missouri's Old Lead Belt, where lead mining occurred for several hundred years.  This area is also part of the barite district of Missouri.  The primary environmental concern at this site is lead contamination in residential soils and private water wells.

In September 2006, EPA began collecting soil and water samples from properties in Jefferson County.  The soil and water samples were analyzed for the presence of lead and other heavy metals.  EPA uses sampling results to determine which lead-contaminated properties will be prioritized for cleanup.

EPA PUBLIC MEETING AND COMMENT PERIOD

You are invited to attend a public meeting to learn more about the Jefferson County Lead Site.  The meeting is scheduled: 

Tuesday, March 25, 2008
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
De Soto Junior High School Gymnasium
731 Amvets Drive
De Soto, Missouri

EPA also invites public comment on the administrative record established for the Jefferson County Lead Site.  The administrative record is located at the De Soto Public Library.  Written comments must be postmarked or mailed electronically no later than March 31, 2008 and should be sent to:

Dianna Whitaker
Office of Public Affairs
EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
whitaker.dianna@epa.gov

HEALTH INFORMATION

Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed.  Children are more sensitive to lead than adults and can develop lifelong learning disabilities and behavior problems from lead exposure.  Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also avoid exposure to lead to protect their children.

Lead poisoning can cause these health effects in infants and young children:

Lead exposure and its effects can be reduced by:

BLOOD LEAD TESTING

The only way to know if your child has elevated blood lead levels is to have his or her blood tested.  EPA encourages parents to have their children tested for lead exposure.  FREE blood lead testing will be available at the March 25th meeting.  These will be finger-stick tests.  You will know the results of the test the same evening.

ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD

EPA has compiled the administrative record for the site.  The administrative record is the official site file and contains technical documents such as the approved Action Memorandum.  The public is invited to submit comments on the administrative record from March 2 to March 31, 2008.  The administrative record may be reviewed during normal business hours at the following locations:

De Soto Public Library
712 South Main Street
De Soto, Mo.

EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kan.

Written comments must be postmarked or mailed electronically no later than March 31, 2008 to Dianna Whitaker at the street and/or electronic addresses given below.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:

Dianna Whitaker
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
913-551-7003, Toll-free 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: whitaker.dianna@epa.gov

Jim Silver
On-Scene Coordinator
EPA Site Office
13291 State Road CC
De Soto, Missouri 63020
636-586-8406
E-mail: silver.jim@epa.gov

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.