EPA Region 7 to Host Four Open Houses for Superfund Sites in Missouri’s Old Lead Belt

EPA officials will present site updates and information about the new residential soil lead guidance to the communities on Oct. 21-24

October 15, 2024

Contact Information

Kellen Ashford (ashford.kellen@epa.gov)

816-610-2132

LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 15, 2024) – Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will host four open house sessions to provide community members with site cleanup updates and information about EPA’s residential soil lead guidance.

The updated residential soil lead guidance, released in January 2024, lowered the screening level at residential properties from 400 parts per million (ppm) to 200 ppm. Screening levels are not cleanup levels, rather they are used when initially investigating a release to determine if the level of contamination warrants further investigation. Updating the screening levels ensures that EPA uses the latest and best available science to protect children living and playing near sites contaminated by lead in soil.

EPA’s open houses in Missouri’s Old Lead Belt take place during Children’s Health Month and National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

State and county health departments will attend all four events. County health departments will provide free blood lead testing for eligible children and adults at the events on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.

EPA’s community meetings will be held:

BIG RIVER MINE TAILINGS SUPERFUND SITE
Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
Open House: 6 to 8 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Long Memorial Hall
110 W. Columbia St.
Farmington, Missouri

WASHINGTON COUNTY LEAD DISTRICT SUPERFUND SITES
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
Open House: 6 to 8 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Washington County Library
235 E. High St.
Potosi, Missouri

MADISON COUNTY MINES SUPERFUND SITE
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024
Open House: 6 to 8 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Black River Electric Cooperative
2600 Highway 67
Fredericktown, Missouri

SOUTHWEST JEFFERSON COUNTY MINING SUPERFUND SITE
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024
Open House: 6 to 8 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Hillsboro Community Civic Center (Jefferson County Fairgrounds)
10349 Highway 21
Hillsboro, Missouri

Background

The Old Lead Belt, located south of the St. Louis metropolitan area, is comprised of several Superfund sites, including Big River Mine Tailings, Madison County Mines, Southwest Jefferson County Mining, and Washington County Lead District, which includes four separate Superfund sites within Washington County – Furnace Creek, Old Mines, Potosi, and Richwoods.

The Old Lead Belt was one of the world’s largest lead mining districts. Mining began in the 1700s and saw the production of over 9 million tons of refined lead product. Mining activities in the Old Lead Belt included in milling, roasting, and smelting.

Mine waste has contaminated soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater at the sites with heavy metals, primarily lead.

Learn more about EPA cleanups in the Old Lead Belt.
Visit the Site Profile page for the Big River Mine Tailings Superfund Site.
Visit the Site Profile page for the Madison County Mines Superfund Site.
Visit the Site Profile page for the Southwest Jefferson County Mining Superfund Site.
Visit the Site Profile page for the Washington County Lead District – Furnace Creek Site.
Visit the Site Profile page for the Washington County Lead District – Old Mines Site.
Visit the Site Profile page for the Washington County Lead District – Potosi Superfund Site.
Visit the Site Profile page for the Washington County Lead District – Richwoods Site.

EPA Region 7 to Host Four Open Houses for Superfund Sites in Missouri’s Old Lead Belt

EPA’s community meetings will be held:

Background

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