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Fact Sheet
December 2008
Lead Sampling in Camden County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
For most of its history, Missouri was the largest lead producer in the country, if not in the world. Historic records show that lead was mined in Camden County from 1830 to 1947. Lead mining, smelting and milling has contributed to lead contamination in soils and water in various locations throughout the state.
For several years, federal and state Superfund programs have been testing residential soils for lead and private water wells for lead, arsenic and cadmium. When dangerous levels of lead have been detected, federal and state programs have responded by cleaning up residential soil and supplying clean drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will evaluate the mining sites in Camden County to determine whether they caused lead pollution in the soil and water.
HEALTH INFORMATION/BLOOD-LEAD TESTING
Blood-lead testing for children under six years old is recommended. Contact the Camden County Health Department in Camdenton (573-346-5479) to get your children tested. Children are more likely to be exposed to lead and are more sensitive to the effects of lead than adults. This exposure may result in lifelong learning disabilities or behavioral problems. Lead can damage the nervous system, kidneys and reproductive system. You can reduce lead exposure and its effects by:
- Washing hands after playing outside and before meals.
- Vacuuming and dusting with a damp cloth to help remove dust that may have lead in it.
- Eating a diet high in calcium and iron and low in fat.
SAMPLING ACTIVITIES
Sampling will take place on properties that are on or near former lead mining, milling and smelting sites that are known to have existed. The EPA samples soil, mine waste material—if it is present, and ground water—if you have a private drinking water well. Residential sampling is conducted outside the home. The purpose is to determine whether there is lead in the soil and ground water at the home.
A team of two to four staff from the EPA will conduct the sampling, which usually takes 30 minutes to one hour to complete. Soil will be sampled from various areas on your property. If you have a private drinking water well, we will collect about one liter of water, preferably from an outside spigot close to the wellhead. The property owner or resident does not need to be present for the sampling, but if you would like, please contact us and we will arrange to meet you. There is no cost to the property owner or resident for the sampling.
FUTURE ACTION
After the samples are analyzed, EPA staff will provide you with an information sheet that will explain what levels of lead are found and what it means. Generally, it takes five or six weeks for a resident to receive their soil and ground water test results. Lead levels between 400 to 1,200 parts per million (ppm) in soil may need further investigation. Lead levels greater than 1,200 ppm in a residential yard generally require the removal of the lead-contaminated soil.
The EPA will coordinate with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Camden County Health Department on health-related issues. If contamination is present on a residential property that is due only to lead-based paint, no action will be taken by the EPA.
For information about blood-lead testing, please contact the following offices of the Camden County Health Department:
Camden County Health Department1976 North State Highway 5
Camdenton, Missouri 65020
Telephone: 573-346-5479
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information on lead sampling in Camden County, please contact the following EPA staff:
On-Scene Coordinator
EPA Region
7901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Telephone: 913-551-7005
E-mail: kroone.janice@epa.gov
Dianna Whitaker
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region
7901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Telephone: 913-551-7598
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: whitaker.dianna@epa.gov
