Final Report on Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex Shows Facility is Suitable for Public Use; No Further Action Needed

Release Date: 07/31/2014 Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., July 31, 2014) - A final comprehensive report of scientific surface gamma radiation screening and soil sampling of the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC) in Bridgeton, Mo., shows the facility is suitable for public use and requires no further environmental response, EPA Region 7 announced today.

“Local residents and visitors can be assured that a thorough scientific survey and review process has confirmed that the public can continue to gather and play at BMAC, and that no additional environmental action is warranted for this facility,” EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said.

EPA announced on May 9, 2014, that it would conduct the BMAC investigation in response to citizen concerns. The survey, which was conducted from May 19 to May 23, involved a surface screening for gross gamma radiation detection, which included analysis of data collected from more than 58,000 surface points, and the collection and analysis of more than 100 surface soil samples.

To help determine if any detections of radiation at BMAC were consistent with those found naturally in the area’s environment, EPA conducted soil sampling at nearby Koch and Blanchette parks. Analysis of soils sampled at BMAC was consistent with soils at the parks.

Samples of surface soils at BMAC were collected from infield areas, outfield areas, grassy areas outside of playing fields, and from drainage areas. EPA also worked with the community group that screened areas of the complex earlier this year to identify the areas where they collected soil samples, so that EPA could collect soil samples from the same locations.

All of EPA’s collected soil samples were sent to a certified laboratory for analysis. The samples were checked for a range of radionuclides, including Thorium-230, Uranium-238, Radium-226, Lead-210, and others. The final report noted no detections at levels of concern to human health.

Full text of the final BMAC survey report is available for review on EPA Region 7’s website.