The state of Missouri and the Doe Run Co. both operate air monitoring stations on the roof of Herculaneum High School, which is part of the Dunklin R-5 School District. These sites and several others monitor airborne lead near the Herculaneum primary smelter that closed in 2013. Doe Run now operates a refinery and strip mill as well as alloying and casting operations in Herculaneum. The monitoring stations at the high school track exposure of students to airborne lead. Monitoring for lead first occurred here in 1968, making it one of the most established locations for ambient air monitoring in the state.
Pollutants
Lead
The primary and secondary ambient air standards for lead have remained at 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter since 2008. The primary standard reflects EPA's concern for public health while the second standard demonstrates concern for public welfare. EPA bases the standard on the highest rolling three-month average over a period of three years and two months. A monitoring site meets the standard when this rolling three-month average is less than or equal to 0.15 μg/m3.
Departmental information about lead
- Health effects
- Missouri's lead legacy
- 2008 standard and pertinent documents
- Three-month average lead concentrations for the most recent 12 months
- State map with monitors for lead in ambient air
Technical issues can affect ability to deliver quality data. Access a table of symbols with explanation of the problems they represent.
1 Black Cat Drive
Herculaneum, MO 63048
United States
Air Pollution Control Program
Division of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
United States