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Fact Sheet
October 2008
EPA Announces Public Meeting, Southwest Jefferson County Mining Superfund Site, Jefferson County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
EPA Region 7 is hosting a public meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, at Amvets Post 48 in DeSoto, Missouri. The purpose of the meeting is to update the local community about the Southwest Jefferson County Mining Superfund Site. During the meeting, representatives from the EPA, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Jefferson County Health Department 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. The primary environmental concern at this site is lead contamination in residential soils and private water wells.
EPA has collected samples from 1,011 properties located within the site. To date, 211 properties have been identified with lead-contaminated soil above 1,200 parts per million (ppm). At this level, EPA prioritizes properties for cleanup as time-critical removals. EPA has also identified 137 properties with lead-contaminated soil in the range of 400 ppm to 1,199 ppm. These properties will be addressed after the time-critical removals are completed. EPA has collected water samples from 517 private water wells in the site. EPA offers bottled water to any site resident whose drinking water exceeds 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead, 5 ppb for cadmium or 10 ppb for arsenic. To date, 41 private water wells have been identified with contamination above drinking water standards for lead, cadmium or arsenic. Of these 41 residences, 30 have agreed to accept bottled water from EPA.
EPA PUBLIC MEETING
You are invited to attend a public meeting to learn more about the Southwest Jefferson County Mining Site. The meeting is scheduled:
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Amvets Post 48
1075 Amvets Drive
De Soto, Missouri
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:
- Slowed physical growth.
- Hearing problems.
- Nervous system damage.
- Learning difficulties.
- Hyperactivity.
- Decreased intelligence.
Lead exposure and its effects can be reduced by:
- Washing hands after playing outside and before meals.
- Vacuuming often and dusting with a damp cloth to help remove dust that might have lead in it.
- Eating a diet high in calcium and iron and low in fat.
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 October 21st 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 contains reports such as the approved Action Memorandum. 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.
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
913-551-7598, 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
