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Doe Run ordered to cleanup more than 4,000 lead-contaminated Missouri properties

Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death.

ST. LOUIS – Missouri and the United States announced Wednesday an agreement that will require the Doe Run Resources Corporation to clean up more than 4,000 lead-contaminated residential properties near the Big River Tailings Site in St. Francois County.

Doe Run will be required to excavate lead contaminated soil on about 4,100 affected properties and perform additional cleanup at the Hayden Creek mine waste area, according to a press release.

More: Three people burned at Doe Run plant

Historical mining activities in St. Francois County released hazardous heavy metals including lead, cadmium and zinc onto residential properties.

EPA will contribute up to $31.54 million toward the cleanup which is estimated to cost a total of $111 million.

Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death.

More: Doe Run preparing to shut down lead smelter

In the three zip codes compromising the majority of the Big River Mine Tailings Site, between 9.3 percent and 16.7 percent of children have elevated lead levels.

The agreement is subject to a 30-day public comment period before it can be entered by the court.

Missouri, U.S. agreement with Doe Run

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