Minker/Stout/Romaine Creek (M/S/RC)
An exposure investigation collects information on
Site--The M/S/RC site is one of the many sites
specific human exposures through biologic sampling,
in Missouri that was contaminated indirectly with
personal monitoring, related environmental assess-
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) from
ment, and exposure-dose reconstruction. ATSDR has
conducted four exposure investigations in Missouri,
spraying waste oil for dust suppression. The waste
oil had been mixed with TCDD-contaminated
including the following recent example.
sludge from a hexachlorophene production facility
Herculaneum--In September 2001, ATSDR
in Verona. The TCDD-contaminated waste oil
released a report for an exposure investigation
was sprayed as a dust suppressant at a horse arena
(EI) conducted for the Doe Run Smelter in
near Imperial in June 1971, after which some
Herculaneum. This investigation focused on
horses died and others got sick. In March 1973,
identifying sources of lead exposure in children
the contaminated soil was removed and used to
who had elevated blood lead concentrations. With
fill a ravine that had developed next to the former
the assistance of the Missouri Department of
Minker residence. The contaminated fill material
Health (MDOH), ATSDR recruited two families
in the ravine eroded across other properties and
for the EI.
eventually made its way to Romaine Creek. The
Minker portion of the site discussed in this health
from the family members and environmental
consultation is a residential site that includes the
samples (water, soil, dust, air, paint) from the
Minker residence and neighboring properties. EPA
houses. These samples were analyzed for lead and
complete this health consultation to assess whether
were used to identify possible sources of lead
the remedial actions taken at the Minker portion of
exposure in the children.
the site are protective of public health. A similar
determination was previously provided for other
portions of the M/S/RC site.
the smelter has made a substantial contribution
A health consultation released in June 2003
and house dust in one of the houses. Lead from
categorized the Minker portion of the M/S/RC site
smelter emissions is the most likely source of lead
as no public health hazard for current exposures for
recontamination of soil in the yard of that house.
TCDD contamination.
Health Education and Community Activities
Washington County (Waco) Landfill--MDHSS,
Missouri has been a participant in ATSDR's coop-
prepared a health consultation to address health-
erative agreement program since 1989. Under this
related concerns with regards to the construction
program, MDH has received funding and technical
permit application for the Waco Landfill in
assistance for the development of community educa-
Richwoods. In August 2002, Safe Handling of
tion and activities associated with human exposure to
Waste Managed Environmentally (SHOW-ME), a
hazardous substances in the environment. Lead Day
coalition of concerned citizens, petitioned ATSDR
at West Elementary in Park Hills featured a special
requesting a health assessment.
appearance by Leadosaurus, MDHSS's lead-educa-
tion mascot. Lead Day featured six teams of health
Because this landfill has not yet begun operation
educators rotating among classes and presenting a
and no release of contamination has occurred, a
comprehensive lead-education program developed for
health assessment was not conducted. However,
elementary-school students.
a health consultation released in May 2003
Health Studies
provided a limited review of the potential public
health concerns related to the site. This limited
Health studies are investigations conducted to deter-
consultation concluded that as long as the facility
mine the relationships between exposures to hazard-
is constructed, operated, and maintained as
ous substances and adverse health effects. They also
described in the permit, this facility will not pose a
define health problems that require further investiga-
threat to public health.
tion through, for example, health surveillance or an
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