Study detects lead-contaminated dust in Picher

(Picher-AP) -- Initial findings from a recent study show that dust at the Tar Creek Superfund Site can contaminate homes with unsafe levels of lead. <br><br>Researchers from the University of Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 18th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Picher-AP) -- Initial findings from a recent study show that dust at the Tar Creek Superfund Site can contaminate homes with unsafe levels of lead.

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma placed Plexiglas plates in and around 45 homes in the northern Oklahoma area where lead and zinc were once mined.

The plates were left in place for eight hours and then wiped. Lead accumulation was measured with each wiping.

The accumulations reached unsafe levels in 28 homes in an average of 263 days.

Lead in the environment is blamed for children in the area having high blood-lead levels, which can stunt intellectual development and cause health problems.

The federal government has spent at least 100 (m) million dollars trying to clean up lead contamination in the area.