Results of Surface Radiation Screening Suggest Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex Remains Suitable for Public Use

(Lenexa, Kan., June 26, 2014) - Results of a scientific surface gamma radiation screening of the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC) in Bridgeton, Mo., suggest the multi-purpose outdoor recreational facility remains suitable for public use, E.P.A. Region seven announced today.

"EPA's analysis of data collected from in excess of 58,000 surface points across BMAC suggests no levels of gamma radiation that would pose public health concerns for users of this facility," E.P.A. Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. "This was a thorough scientific survey, coupled with meticulous review and quality control checks of the data."

E.P.A. announced on May 9, 2014, that it would conduct the BMAC screening in response to citizen concerns. The screening, which began on May 19, included a surface screening using a sodium iodide detector that traveled approximately 45 miles of transecting lines across BMAC, as well as the collection of in excess of 100 surface soil samples from locations throughout the complex.

To help determine if any detections of radiation at BMAC were consistent with those found naturally in the area's environment, E.P.A. conducted gamma screening at nearby Koch and Blanchette parks. Analysis of the surface readings at BMAC found gamma radiation levels comparable to those at the other 2 parks.

E.P.A. expects validated results from the BMAC soil sampling data by the end of July. Samples of surface soils were collected from infield areas, outfield areas, grassy areas outside of playing fields, and from drainage areas. E.P.A. 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 E.P.A. could collect soil samples from those same locations. All of EPA's collected soil samples were sent to a certified lab for analysis.

The BMAC surface gamma radiation screening report will be accessible later today on E.P.A. Region 7's website.

E.P.A. also will publicly share the final report of the BMAC soil sampling analysis at the same website, and through news and social media, when it becomes available.

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