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

(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, E.P.A. Region seven 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," E.P.A. Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said.

E.P.A. 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 in excess of 58,000 surface points, and the collection and analysis of in excess of 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, E.P.A. 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. 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 the same locations.

All of EPA's collected soil samples were sent to a certified lab 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 accessible on E.P.A. Region 7's website for review online (PDF) (253 pp, 21.46MB, About PDF).

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