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Fact Sheet

February 2011

EPA to Hold a Public Availability Session on the Establishment of a Supplemental Soil Repository, St. Francois County, Missouri

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will hold a Public Availability Session on February 28, 2011 to share information and answer questions about its proposal to establish a supplemental soil repository in Leadwood, Missouri. This repository will be used to store contaminated soil from properties throughout St. Francois County, Missouri.

The benefits of using the Leadwood Mine Tailings Site include: access to haul routes, minimal impacts to city roads, an enhanced vegetative cover over the pile, and space.

As you may be aware, EPA has recently undertaken response actions to remove and replace lead-contaminated soils at numerous schools and child-care facilities, as well as continuing its efforts at residential properties throughout St. Francois County.

Young children are typically exposed to lead by playing in contaminated soils and then putting dirty fingers in their mouths, and by breathing contaminated dust. Lead can build up in children's bodies and can cause lead poisoning. Although the effects of lead poisoning are a potential concern for humans of all ages, children younger than seven years old and pregnant women are especially at risk. It is important that children in this age range be tested every year, because lead-poisoned children may not look or act sick.

Blood-lead tests can be performed at the St. Francois County Health Center. For additional information, please contact Ms. Jane Howard, R.N. at (573) 431-7326, Ext. 142.

AVAILABILITY SESSION

Monday, February 28, 2011
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Mineral Area College
Field House (Cafeteria)
112 Dixie Cone Drive
Park Hills, Missouri

EPA Region 7 is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the public meeting, please notify the EPA Reasonable Accommodations Coordinator, Jonathan Cooper (1-800-223-0425), or by e-mail @ cooper.jonathan@epa.gov at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. Speech or hearing impaired individuals should e-mail or call using the local relay service.

BACKGROUND

The Big River Mine Tailings/St. Joe Minerals Corp. Superfund Site is a part of Missouri's Old Lead Belt, where mining and milling has occurred for more than a century. Over time, mining wastes containing elevated levels of lead were left behind, posing a threat to human health and the environment.

EPA and Missouri state agencies have been addressing lead contaminated soils in St. Francois County for more than a decade, providing health education, soil assessments, and a variety of response actions.

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 behavioral problems from lead exposure. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also avoid exposure to lead to protect their children. Lead poisoning can cause negative health effects in infants and young children including, but not limited to:

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, and eating a diet high in calcium and iron.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The administrative record and site-related documents for the Big River Mine Tailings/St. Joe Minerals Corp. Superfund Site are available for review at the following locations:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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

Debbie Kring
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA - Region 7
Office of Public Affairs
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
(913) 551-7725 or
Toll Free @ 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: kring.debbie@epa.gov

Jason Gunter
Project Manager
U.S. EPA – Region 7
Superfund Division
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
(913) 551-7358 or
Toll Free @ 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: gunter.jason@epa.gov

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