The Fletcher air monitoring station lies near a lead mine as well as a processing mill that turns lead ore into lead concentrate. The Doe Run Co. operates the Fletcher mine and five others along the Viburnum Trend; these six mines constitute Missouri's new lead belt. The state's air monitoring station helps department staff determine public exposure to airborne lead resulting from the mill's operations. The monitoring station lies next to a power substation as shown in this picture. Department staff periodically review the location to ensure that it continues to meet EPA's siting criteria for air monitoring sites. The review includes a survey of the surrounding area to identify nearby sources of air pollution that may affect the station's data.

Pollutants

Lead

Since 2008, the primary and secondary ambient air standards for lead have remained at 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). 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 the lead concentration is less than or equal to 0.15 μg/m3 averaged over three months. The standard is not met if the concentration exceeds that level once or more within a three-year period. 

Fletcher Air Monitoring Site
Address

Forest Road 2236
Westfork, MO 64498
United States

EPA Site ID
29-179-0002
County
Reynolds
Date Established
Pollutants Monitored
Lead
Latitude/Longitude
37.46889, -91.08847