![[logo] US EPA](../gif/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Fact Sheet
February 2010
EPA to Host a Public Availability Session to Provide Updated Site Information to the Community at Large, Leadwood Mine Tailings Superfund Site, Leadwood, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will hold a Public Availability Session to share updated information about the Leadwood Mine Tailings Superfund Site.
Since meeting with you in August of last year, we have undertaken the following actions which support EPA's goals in protecting human health and the environment throughout the Leadwood community:
- Continued with pile stabilization, focusing on the east seep and erosion area, as well as the north portion.
- Remediation started at the West County Elementary Baseball Field on December 14th. The entire ball field will be excavated and backfilled with clean soil. Sod will be used for revegetation. Remediation of the western portion of the West County Elementary school yard will begin immediately after the ball field clean up work is completed.
- Class "B" biosolids will be applied to approximately 40 acres at the Leadwood Mine Tailings Site, north of Wortham Road and south of Eaton Dam. The next application will be applied in Spring 2010.
EPA will share the details of these actions at the Public Availability Session.
PUBLIC AVAILABILITY SESSION
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
West County Middle School
1124 Main Street
Leadwood, Missouri
BACKGROUND
The property addressed above is a part of the Leadwood Mine Tailings Superfund Site, which is one of six major mine waste areas located in a region known as the Old Lead Belt. Historical mining activities were conducted in this region for the greater part of 70 years, leaving behind tailings and chat containing elevated levels of lead and zinc that pose a threat to human health and the environment.
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:
- Slowed physical growth.
- Hearing problems.
- Nervous system damage.
- Learning disabilities.
- Hyperactivity and other behavioral problems
- Decreased intelligence.
Lead exposure and its effects can be reduced by the following actions:
- Washing hands after playing outside and before meals.
- Vacuuming often and dusting with a damp cloth.
- Eating a diet high in calcium and iron.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The administrative record and site-related documents for the Leadwood Mine Tailings Superfund Site are available for review at the following locations:
St. Francois County Health Department
1025 West Main
Park Hills, Missouri
EPA Region 7 Records Center
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The following community involvement tools are available for your consideration:
- Community Advisory Group (CAG): Consists of community members forming a group to discuss and present concerns related to the Superfund decision-making process.
- Technical Assistance Grant (TAG): A grant in the amount of $50,000 (over a 3-year period) for a citizens' group to hire independent advisors.
- Technical Assistance Service for Communities (TASC): A program that provides educational and technical assistance to communities affected by hazardous waste sites.
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
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.