Sample Results Letters

Oronogo-Duenweg Mining Belt Exposure Investigation

Newton County Mine Tailings

Appendix H: Sample Results Letters to Participants

Appendix H1. ATSDR Results Letter

Note: The format and content of this example letter could change depending on the results of the EI. Final letters will go through CDC/ATSDR clearance.

(Felsch-Kincaid Reading Level: Grade 8)

(ATSDR Letterhead)

DATE

NAME

ADDRESS

GREETING,

Thank you for participating in (or allowing your child/ward, NAME, to take part in) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR’s) Exposure Investigation in Jasper and Newton Counties in Missouri. The goal of the Exposure Investigation is to determine whether people living on or near the Oronogo-Duenweg Mining Belt and Newton County Mine Tailings Superfund sites are being exposed to lead . The best way to determine lead exposure is with a blood lead test. We tested blood to see if the blood lead level is above the CDC Blood Lead Reference Value (BLRV). The BLRV for children < 16 years is 3.5 µg/dL), and the BLRV for adults >16 years is 5 µg/dL.

This letter contains your (your child’s/ward’s) blood lead and environmental testing results. ATSDR collected blood from you (your child/ward) for testing on [Month Day, Year]. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services tested your yard, water, and household on [Month Day, Year] and [Month Day, Year] respectively.

EPA has enclosed a letter describing your environmental sampling results and information regarding potential action(s) that may be needed to reduce your exposure to lead.

Your (Your child’s/ward’s) blood lead, soil, water, and household results are shown in the enclosed Table 1.

Lead in Blood:

• If child’s BLL is < 3.5 µg/dL:

Your child’s/ward’s blood lead level was below the reference level for blood lead. Although research to date indicates that there is no safe level of blood lead, the results indicate that your child’s/ward’s blood lead level is like most other children’s blood lead levels in the United States. Therefore, no additional healthcare action regarding lead in blood is recommended based on these results.

• If child BLL is ≥ 3.5 µg/dL:

Your child’s/ward’s blood lead level was equal to or above the reference level for blood lead. As a result, we will contact you to help identify ways to reduce your child’s/ward’s exposure to lead. You can also speak with your local health department, as well as your primary care provider for recommendations and resources to address childhood lead exposure.

• If pregnant woman or woman of childbearing age BLL is < 5 µg/dL:

Your blood lead level was below the reference level for blood lead in pregnant women or women of childbearing age. Although research to date indicates that there is no safe level of blood lead, the results indicate that your blood lead level is like most other women in the United States. Therefore, no additional healthcare action regarding lead in blood is recommended based on these results.

• If pregnant woman or woman of childbearing age BLL is ≥ 5 µg/dL:

Your blood lead level was above the reference level for blood lead in pregnant women or women of childbearing age. As a result, we will contact you to help identify ways to reduce your exposure to lead. You can also speak with your primary care provider or obstetrician-gynecologist for recommendations and resources to address your lead exposure.

Lead in Yard Soil:

• If soil lead level is below EPA’s soil action level

Your soil lead level was below EPA’s soil Removal Management Level for lead. Therefore, no additional remedial action will be taken by EPA based on these results. Additional information from EPA is enclosed in a separate letter.

• If soil lead level is above EPA’s soil action level

Your soil lead level was equal to or above EPA’s soil Removal Management Level for lead. As a result, EPA will contact you to discuss removing the contaminated soil and replacing it will clean soil. You can also reach out the EPA at (913) 551-7186. Additional information from EPA is enclosed in a separate letter.

Lead in Dust:

• If dust levels are < 10 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft²) (interior floors), < 40 µg/ft² (porch floors), < 100 µg/ft² (interior windowsills), and/or < 100 µg/ft² (window troughs)

Lead dust levels in your household are below levels of concern and are not considered to be lead-bearing. Therefore, no additional actions are needed based on these results.

• If dust levels are ≥ 10 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft²) (interior floors), ≥ 40 µg/ft² (porch floors), ≥ 100 µg/ft² (interior windowsills), and/or ≥ 100 µg/ft² (window troughs)

Lead dust levels in your household are above levels that are considered to be a lead-bearing substance and may pose an exposure concern. As a result, we will reach out to you to help identify ways to reduce your (your child’s/ward’s) exposure to lead.

Lead in Paint:

• If lead level is < 1 mg/cm²

Painted surfaces in your household are below levels of concern and are not considered to be lead-bearing. Therefore, no additional actions are needed based on these results.

• If lead level is ≥ 1 mg/cm²

Painted surfaces in your household are above levels considered to be lead-bearing and may pose an exposure concern. As a result, we will reach out to you to help identify ways to reduce your (your child’s/ward’s) exposure to lead.

Lead in Water:

• If water lead level is < 15 µg/L

The water your household is below EPA’s Lead Action Level. Therefore, no additional actions are needed based on these results.

• If water lead level is ≥ 15 µg/L

Public Water Supply

The water your household is above EPA’s Lead Action Level. As a result, we will reach out to you to help identify ways to reduce your (your child’s/ward’s) exposure to lead.

Private Well

The water your household is above EPA’s Lead Action Level. EPA will contact you to discuss provided you with a clean water source. You can also reach out the EPA at (913) 551-7186. Additional information from EPA is enclosed in a separate letter.

If you have questions concerning the Exposure Investigation or your (your child’s/ward’s test results, please contact me at 833-678-2724 or by email at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Erin Evans, MPH, REHS/RS

Commander, U.S. Public Health Service

Regional Director – ATSDR Region 7

ATSDR Office of Community Health and Hazard Assessment

Appendix H2. EPA Sample Results Letter

NAME

ADDRESS

Neosho, Missouri 64850

Re: Cleanup of Mine Waste in the Newton County Mine Tailings Superfund Site, Newton County, Missouri

Dear Mr./Ms. NAME:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has sampled your property at ADDRESS, for lead, zinc, and cadmium as part of the Newton County Mine Tailings Superfund site.

The EPA has included the results from the surface soil samples at your property, Parcel ##. Please see the attached Global Positioning System (GPS) Field Sheet and Data Table for sample locations, sample results, and the EPA Action Levels for metals in soil. Based on the sampling results, your property does not exceed the EPA action levels for lead, zinc or cadmium and will not qualify for a cleanup in the future as part of the remedial action at the Newton County Mine Tailings Superfund site.

Please retain this letter for your permanent records. In the event that your property is offered for sale or lease, this information is considered a record under Section 1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, 42 U.S.C. 4851 et seq., and must be disclosed. This letter contains information you can show the next owner/tenant to verify that lead testing was performed.

If you have any questions concerning this letter or the enclosures, please contact me at (913) 551-7939.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Hagenmaier

Remedial Project Manager

Mining and Smelter Remediation Section

Superfund and Emergency Management Division

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