News Release 243

DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS U.S. EPA PROPOSAL TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD FOR LEAD

Volume 36-243

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 5, 2008 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed a substantial strengthening of the federal, health-based air quality standard for lead.  The proposed revisions would improve health protection for at-risk groups, especially children. 

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been closely following this process and has provided comment to EPA in favor of strengthening the lead standard to a level more protective of human health and the environment as it is supported by the science. EPA's proposal includes revising the lead standard from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter, to within the range of 0.10 to 0.30 micrograms per cubic meter.

"We understand the need for EPA taking action to further improve air quality and protect the health of our citizens, especially our children," said Department Director Doyle Childers.  "Once the standard becomes final, the department in light of these health issues will work diligently to determine what areas of Missouri do not meet the new standard and what measures are necessary to reduce lead emissions."

The final standard is set to be announced Sept. 15. Once it is established, the Department of Natural Resources will evaluate all lead emissions from industrial sources in Missouri to determine where the standard is not being met. Areas not attaining the standard will be designated as lead nonattainment areas.  Designations will be submitted to EPA by Sept. 15, with final designations being made no later than 2011.  Once designations are made, the state will initiate the process to develop a State Implementation Plan to reduce lead emissions to the levels necessary to achieve compliance.

 Only one area in Missouri is officially designated as a nonattainment area for the current lead standard. This site is located at the state's only primary lead smelting operation, the Doe Run facility in Herculaneum.  Missouri also has two large secondary smelters, the Doe Run Buick facility in Iron County and Exide Technologies in Holt County.  Both are in compliance with the current environmental standard.

A new standard at the levels proposed would also require additional monitoring.  In addition to strengthening the lead National Ambient Air Quality Standard, EPA is proposing to improve the existing lead monitoring network by requiring monitors to be placed near large sources of lead emissions and in urban areas with more than 1 million people. There are currently 11 lead monitoring sites in Missouri at four different locations: Doe Run Herculaneum, Doe Run Buick, Doe Run Glover and Clayton, which is a reference site for the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. 

Lead that is emitted into the air can be inhaled or, after it settles out of the air, can be ingested. Ingestion is the main route of human exposure. Once in the body, lead is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect many organ systems.  Exposure to lead is associated with a broad range of health effects, including effects on the blood, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and immune system.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead. Exposures to low levels of lead early in life have been linked to effects on IQ, learning, memory and behavior.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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