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Results of Surface Radiation Screening Suggest Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex Remains Suitable for Public Use

Release Date: 06/26/2014
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., June 26, 2014) - Results of a scientific surface gamma radiation screening of the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC) in Bridgeton, Mo., suggest the multi-purpose outdoor recreational facility remains suitable for public use, EPA Region 7 announced today.

“EPA’s analysis of data collected from more than 58,000 surface points across BMAC suggests no levels of gamma radiation that would pose public health concerns for users of this facility,” EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “This was a thorough scientific survey, coupled with meticulous review and quality control checks of the data.”

EPA announced on May 9, 2014, that it would conduct the BMAC screening in response to citizen concerns. The screening, which began on May 19, included a surface screening using a sodium iodide detector that traveled approximately 45 miles of transecting lines across BMAC, as well as the collection of more than 100 surface soil samples from locations throughout the complex.

To help determine if any detections of radiation at BMAC were consistent with those found naturally in the area’s environment, EPA conducted gamma screening at nearby Koch and Blanchette parks. Analysis of the surface readings at BMAC found gamma radiation levels comparable to those at the other two parks.

EPA expects validated results from the BMAC soil sampling data by the end of July. Samples of surface soils were collected from infield areas, outfield areas, grassy areas outside of playing fields, and from drainage areas. EPA also worked with the community group that screened areas of the complex earlier this year to identify the areas where they collected soil samples, so that EPA could collect soil samples from those same locations. All of EPA’s collected soil samples were sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.

The BMAC surface gamma radiation screening report will be available later today on EPA Region 7’s website.

EPA also will publicly share the final report of the BMAC soil sampling analysis at the same website, and through news and social media, when it becomes available.