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Fact Sheet
March 2011
EPA to Hold a Public Availability Session on the Establishment of a Soil Repository, Lake Timberline Development Superfund Site, Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will hold a Public Availability Session on Thursday, March 31, 2011 to share information and answer questions about its proposal to establish a soil repository in Bonne Terre, Missouri. 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
Lake Timberline is located near the City of Bonne Terre in St. Francois County, Mo. St. Francois County is part of Missouri's Old Lead Belt, where mining and milling 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.
EPA collected soil and water samples from residential properties located in Lake Timberline, and analyzed them for the presence of lead and other heavy metals. An EPA representative will be available during this meeting to discuss the outcome of this process.
AVAILABILITY SESSION
Thursday, March 31, 2011
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Lake Timberline Paddle Club
9400 Skyline Drive
Bonne Terre, 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.
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;
- Behavior problems including hyperactivity; and
- 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; and
- Eating a diet high in calcium and iron and low in fat.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Debbie Kring
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Office: 913-551-7725
Toll-free 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: kring.debbie@epa.gov