Lead is an issue in Southeast Missouri

Lead can have significant effects on a child's health and development and can be frightening to parents and others who strive every day to provide for the safety of the most vulnerable among us. Children under six years of age are most at risk because their developing nervous systems are especially vulnerable to lead's effects.

For most of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Missouri was the global leader in lead production, creating a lasting legacy of contamination in the state that should be cleaned up. Regarding that lead production legacy, EPA has cleaned up 7,746 residential properties, schools, and parks in Missouri. The priority has been to prevent ongoing exposures of residents, especially young children, to lead contaminated soils, drinking water and to develop cost-effective actions to address impacts to the natural environment.

EPA Region 7's Superfund Program is addressing 12 lead mining and ore processing sites in the Southeast Missouri Mining District, which includes the following counties: Jefferson, Washington, St. Francois, Madison, Iron and Reynolds. More than two-million cubic yards of contaminated soil at more than 4,446 residential properties, including schools and parks, has been addressed in a seven-county area. More than 300 homes have been provided an alternate source of water.

That only tells part of the lead story in Missouri though. Lead was also used for many years in paint before being banned for residential use in 1978.

EPA conducts lead-based paint inspections in Southeast Missouri. EPA's continued focus is on low-income neighborhoods with housing built before 1978. EPA's rules require firms that conduct renovations, repair and painting projects be certified by EPA (or an EPA-authorized state program); use certified renovators who are trained by EPA or state-approved providers; and follow lead-safe work practices. Lead can become airborne and breathable when surfaces coated in lead-based paint are cut, sanded, demolished or undergo other construction activities.

To further help reduce children's exposure to lead-based paint, EPA strives to be effective in its enforcement and outreach efforts. Federal laws do not give the agency legal authority to require landlords or contractors to assess or abate lead hazards, nor perform the work ourselves. When we find violations by responsible parties we seek to negotiate agreements to have them perform lead-based paint removal projects.

In addition to inspections, we are working to increase awareness of lead hazards and the importance of lead-safe work practices through presentations to community groups, contractors and others.

We encourage residents to hire certified firms to conduct renovations in order to protect families from exposure to lead. Consumers can protect themselves by looking for EPA's "Lead Safe" logo on worker's uniforms, signs, and websites. If you suspect lead remediation rules have not been followed you can contact us at 1-800-223-0425.

For information on blood-lead testing for children under the age of six in your area, please contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at 1-866-628-9891. A blood test is the only way to determine if a child has a high lead level.

For more information on EPA's lead program visit: www.epa.gov/lead and for additional information for renovators visit: www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program-contractors.

Mark Hague is administrator for U.S. EPA Region 7, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine tribal nations. Hague resides in Overland Park, Kansas.