The Omaha Lead site in the city of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska has been contaminated with lead from air emissions from lead refining operations and other sources. The site covers about 8,840 acres and includes residential properties, childcare facilities, schools, and other properties. The Omaha Lead site was added to the National Priorities List on April 30, 2003.
A 2005 public health assessment of the site categorizes the site as a public health hazard based on the ongoing exposures of lead at levels that are known to cause adverse health effects.
Selected Resources
July 2005 Cancer Data Review [PDF, 1,014KB]
Ongoing exposure to lead at the OLS puts children 6 and
younger living in or near the Omaha Lead Site area at risk
of lead-related health effects; specifically, increased
blood lead levels, and learning difficulties and slightly
impaired hearing and growth.
East Omaha residents had a modest increased rate for lung, kidney, and stomach cancer compared with residents of Douglas County or Nebraska. Bladder and brain cancer rates were not increased, and there was no consistent increased rate of kidney cancer. Because of the limitations in the methods of the data review, these results should be interpreted cautiously. The findings from this analysis are insufficient to conclude that lead contamination has caused cancer in residents of East Omaha. It is very possible that the other risk factors of smoking, nutrition, occupation, or exposure to other cancer-causing substances led to the modest increases in lung and stomach cancers.
May 2005 Public Health Assessment [PDF, 87KB]
The public health assessment conducted by ATSDR to evaluate
the possible public health impacts of lead at the Omaha Lead
site. The assessment includes agency findings and
recommendations for clean-up and future lead poisoning
prevention.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1825 Century Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30345
Contact CDC: 800-232-4636 / TTY: 888-232-6348
