By AP/KWMU
St. Louis – A St. Louis-based company is testing yards and playgrounds in southeastern Missouri to see if years of lead mining, milling and hauling have contaminated the soil.
Contractors working for The Doe Run Company began collecting soil samples at 275 properties in the small town of Viburnum this month. Doe Run is working under an order from the U.S. EPA.
The agency says there's a threat that lead mining may have released hazardous pollutants into the environment.
Doe Run's contractor has collected about half the samples they need to perform tests. The studies focus on private homes and parks and playgrounds accessible to young children.