I-Team: Lead levels at St. Joe State Park, Part 2

By Leisa Zigman, I-Team Reporter

KSDK -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is saying nothing following an I-Team report detailing how his Department of Natural Resources issued a series of conflicting statements about lead safety at St. Joe State Park.

On Monday night, the I-Team exposed how the State Department of Health and the EPA considered lead levels at St. Joe State Park a health hazard while Missouri's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) downplayed the danger.

The I-Team had asked for statements from both the Governor's Office and the DNR but did not receive a response.

In the meantime, there is another concern for the more than 700,000 visitors to St. Joe State Park. The Gann family of Festus is among the thousands of ATV and motocross riders that flock to the park each year.

David Gann explained why his family loves it so much. He said,

"Just the expression on the kid's face when you go down there, everybody has a blast," he said.

In family photos, you see nine-year-old Sierrah covered with lead-laced tailings. She is actually wearing a pink shirt but it looks brown because of the tailings. You can also see the lead laced tailings covering her nose and face.

Monday night, the I-Team detailed how lead levels top more than 1,000 parts per million. That is 167 percent higher than what the EPA considers an acceptable risk.

"Last night really opened our eyes. It really opened our eyes. We didn't know it was that bad," Gann said.

Dr. John Martin of St. Louis County did not know it was that bad either. He has been riding at St. Joe for 40 years and thought lead levels were safe because the state's Department of Natural Resources website said it was safe.

"I don't think I'm going to go again," he said.

EPA and Missouri Health officials worry about families tracking the lead laced particles back to neighborhoods and homes. The I-Team had St. Louis testing labs analyze the tailings that stuck to Dr. Martin's boots, helmet and ATV. Results showed levels near 1,000 ppm. Martin says he has little faith in those running DNR.

"I'd give them an 'F' for failing to notify the citizens of Missouri that there is a possible health hazard of going to this park," said Dr. Martin.

According to health officials, the greatest risk is to young children, especially those under six. On Monday, DNR changed its website and is no longer stating lead levels at the park are safe.