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Fact Sheet
June 2010
EPA Announces Public Meeting, Washington County Lead District - Palmer Superfund Site, Washington County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
EPA Region 7 is hosting a public meeting on Thursday, July 15, 2010, at Belgrade Elementary School, 18437 Delbridge Road in Belgrade, Mo.The purpose of the meeting is to provide the local community with information about the Washington County Lead District - Palmer Superfund Site.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
Washington County is part of Missouri's lead and barite mining district, where mining occurred for several hundred years.The county has hosted over 1,000 sites associated with lead and/or barite mining. Mining activities in Washington County have contributed to elevated levels of lead in soil and ground water in this area.
EPA has begun collecting soil and water samples from residential properties located near mining and mine-waste disposal areas within the Palmer Site.The soil and water samples will be
PLAN TO ATTEND
You are invited to attend an EPA public meeting to learn more about the Washington County Lead District – Palmer Site.The meeting is scheduled:
Thursday, July 15, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Belgrade Elementary School
18437 Delbridge Road
Belgrade, Mo.
analyzed for the presence of lead and other heavy metals.
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.
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.
For information about free blood-lead testing, please contact your county health department:
Washington County Health Department
520 Purcell Road
Potosi, MO 63664
573-438-2164
The health department is open from
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. on Fridays.Free blood-lead testing is available on Thursdays and Fridays.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions or need additional information about EPA's sampling activities at the Washington County Lead District - Palmer Site, please contact:
Dianna Whitaker
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
913-551-7598, Toll-free 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: whitaker.dianna@epa.gov
Manual Schmaedick
On-Scene Coordinator
Superfund Division
EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
913-551-7449, Toll-free 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: schmaedick.manual@epa.gov