Karl Herchenroeder
RW Monitor
01/29/16
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources said this week that further radiological analysis is needed for two soil samples taken from the West Lake Landfill this fall.
The agency drew this conclusion in an interim report released this week, after wrapping up results from a radiological survey that took place between October and November at West Lake.
“Two soil sample locations, located on or immediately adjacent to private property north and northwest of Area 2, had areas of persistent readings comparatively higher than other detections in those areas,” the report states. “In that same general location, a dust swipe sample on site fencing exhibited consistent readings comparatively higher than empty tray counts. No formal conclusions regarding these areas can be drawn until laboratory results are received and reviewed.”
Sampling was conducted in publicly accessible and private property areas near the perimeter of the site, as well as near residential areas, to determine any potential for radiological exposure to the public. The Department of Natural Resources was accompanied by officials from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Environmental Protection Agency during the survey.
The department has forwarded its findings to the EPA, the report states, and both parties are awaiting lab results to verify specific concentrations and determine if there’s need for further evaluation. The areas in question showed persistent gamma readings about 20 percent to 30 percent higher than other readings in the same area, the report states. The authors noted, however, that the soil in question appeared to contain crushed red brick debris, which may have contributed to the elevated readings.
The landfill contains radioactive waste from the former uranium production facility at Mallinckrodt Chemical Works in St. Louis.
When asked if there are any immediate health concerns, department spokesman Tom Bastian said via email, “No formal conclusions regarding these areas can be drawn until laboratory results are received and reviewed.”
It’s also unclear exactly what radiological material was discovered in the questionable samples. Bastian said results will not be available until the final report is released, and he did not offer a timeline for when that might occur.
In December, an independent research study concluded that fugitive radon gas is escaping the landfill, leading to elevated levels of lead in sediment and house dust in the suburbs of St. Louis. The study, prepared by the Boston Chemical Corp. and the Institute for Policy Studies, claimed that 48 percent of its 287 soil and sediment samples contained lead-210 concentrations above Department of Energy limits for residential farming. The EPA has stated that it is reviewing the study, which was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.
