Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 are set to host a series of open house sessions in Missouri's Old Lead Belt from October 21 to 24, 2024. These sessions aim to update community members on site cleanups and provide information about the EPA’s residential soil lead guidance.
The updated guidance, introduced in January 2024, has lowered the screening level for residential properties from 400 parts per million (ppm) to 200 ppm. This change ensures that the EPA employs the latest scientific findings to protect children near sites contaminated by lead in soil. It is important to note that these screening levels are used during initial investigations and do not represent cleanup levels.
The timing of these events coincides with Children’s Health Month and National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. State and county health departments will be present at all four events, offering free blood lead testing for eligible children and adults on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
The schedule for the EPA's community meetings is as follows:
- Big River Mine Tailings Superfund Site: Monday, October 21, at Long Memorial Hall in Farmington.
- Washington County Lead District Superfund Sites: Tuesday, October 22, at Washington County Library in Potosi.
- Madison County Mines Superfund Site: Wednesday, October 23, at Black River Electric Cooperative in Fredericktown.
- Southwest Jefferson County Mining Superfund Site: Thursday, October 24, at Hillsboro Community Civic Center.
Missouri's Old Lead Belt comprises several Superfund sites such as Big River Mine Tailings, Madison County Mines, Southwest Jefferson County Mining, and multiple locations within the Washington County Lead District. Historically one of the largest lead mining districts globally, mining activities here began in the 1700s. Over time, more than nine million tons of refined lead product were produced through milling, roasting, and smelting processes. These activities have led to contamination of soil and water sources with heavy metals like lead.
Further information about EPA cleanups in the Old Lead Belt can be found on various site profile pages dedicated to each location.