Viburnum Trend Lead Haul Roads – City of Viburnum Operable Unit 2 Superfund Site; Crawford, Iron and Washington Counties, Missouri - Fact Sheet, June 2021

Removal Action Site Update

Lead Testing and Cleanup

Site Overview

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has conducted testing (sampling) for lead contamination at 125 residential properties and child high-use areas within the Viburnum Trend Lead Haul Roads – City of Viburnum Operable Unit 2 (OU2) Superfund Site (site).

The results of that sampling indicate that 86 of those properties qualify for cleanup. Lead contamination in surface soils has necessitated a time-critical removal action to protect human health and the environment from immediate risk. This action began in April 2021 and is expected to continue through August 2021.

Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed and can pose serious health risks, particularly to children 7 years old and younger, as well as pregnant women and nursing mothers. Lead is the main contaminant of concern at this site. It was likely distributed throughout the site during decades of mining, milling, and transporting of ores and concentrates.

Public Availability Session

Based on feedback received from the Viburnum community, EPA will hold a Public Availability Session to provide information and answer questions on the time-critical removal action for the site. The event will be hosted by EPA and the city of Viburnum at the Blue Jay Park Pavilion (at new city park) on Tuesday, June 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

EPA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. For reasonable accommodations during the Public Availability Session, please contact Jonathan Cooper at 1-800-223-0425 or [email protected].

image of Viburnum FS site map — **Viburnum Site Map**

Site Background

The site is located in northwestern Iron County, with smaller portions within Crawford and Washington counties, in southeastern Missouri. It is part of what is commonly known as the New Lead Belt mining district, or Viburnum Trend, where lead production began around 1960. The Doe Run Resources Corporation – Viburnum Division (formerly St. Joe Minerals Corp. – Viburnum) is located in and near the city of Viburnum.

The Viburnum Division includes four mines where ore was brought to the surface. (See site map at right.) During construction, development, and early operation of these mines, it was not uncommon for lead-contaminated materials, such as tailings and/or poor rock, to be used for construction materials in the building of Viburnum, which was done by the St. Joe Minerals Corp. to support mining operations.

As a result of mining-related activities that have occurred in and around the city, lead and lead compounds have been released into the environment in quantities that present a risk to public health and welfare. EPA identified Doe Run Resources Corporation, or Doe Run, as the potentially responsible party (PRP) for the lead contamination found at this site. Beginning in 2005, EPA and Doe Run entered into an agreement for Doe Run to begin cleaning up lead-contaminated residential properties in Viburnum. Lead was likely distributed throughout the city during decades of mining, milling, and transporting of lead ores and concentrates.

Work in Viburnum

EPA is conducting a time-critical removal action for residential properties and child high-use areas where: 1) lead concentrations in soils exceeded 1,200 parts per million (ppm), or 2) lead concentrations in soils were less than 1,200 ppm but greater than 400 ppm, with a sensitive population present (e.g., children 7 years old and younger). EPA is continuing to negotiate with the PRP about plans to clean up the remaining residential properties and child high-use areas with lead concentrations of less than 1,200 ppm and greater than 400 ppm in soils (without a sensitive population present).

How Will EPA Sample or Clean Up My Yard?

This proposed sampling and cleanup work will be conducted at no cost to property owners. If your residential property qualifies for this time-critical removal action, an EPA representative will contact you to discuss the sample results and proposed cleanup activities for your property. The time-critical removal action will proceed as follows:

EPA has been conducting this action for qualifying properties since April 2021.
Steps will include excavation, treatment, and disposal of lead-contaminated soil; backfilling the excavated area to original grade with clean topsoil or gravel; and restoring a grass lawn at residential properties.
Sampling of residential yards will continue until EPA’s investigation is complete.
EPA will update the local community when additional information becomes available.

About Lead and Public Health

Lead is a that affects multiple body systems. Lead exposure can pose serious health risks, particularly for children 7 years old and younger; as well as pregnant women and nursing mothers, who should also avoid exposure to protect their children.

Lead is dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects, including behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and seizures, putting young children at the greatest risk because their brains and nervous systems are still developing.

Annual Blood Lead Testing

The only way to know if your child has an elevated blood lead level is to have his or her blood tested. Talk to your pediatrician, general physician, or local health department about testing your child. For more information on blood testing for children, you can contact: Iron County Health Department, 606 W. Russell St., Ironton, MO 63650; phone: 573-546-7121

Administrative Record File Available

The Administrative Record file is the official site file that contains technical documents with respect to response actions at this site. EPA keeps site project information and reference materials for the public to read at information repositories. EPA assessed the ability of the public to access its online repository and determined that the local community has this ability. To review the Administrative Record file, please visit EPA's website (see Administrative Records, Collection ID 66766). Additional site information is available online.

Additional Information on Lead

EPA Contact Information

EPA encourages community members to ask questions and report any concerns about this site. Questions, comments, or requests for site information can be submitted to:

Kirk Mammoliti
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7 (SEMD/AERR/RREP)
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7902
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: [email protected]

Elizabeth Kramer
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7 (ORA/OPA)
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: [email protected]