lead levels

Lead exposure is a common issue in southeast Kansas and nearby parts of Missouri and Oklahoma. Health experts say there are few accessible resources for high-risk communities.

The $6.4 million grant will go toward renovating about 170 Kansas City homes in low-income, minority neighborhoods next year.

The EPA is trying to crack down on lead pipes that bring water into homes. But a looming deadline — and the election — will determine if it follows a Biden plan to replace pipes or a Trump plan. In Olathe, the city is using a patchwork of funding to replace lines at no cost to property owners.

The statewide effort to clean up drinking water was prompted by a 2022 Missouri law, and more than $27 million has been set aside to fix the problems.

The state will get $106.4 million for water infrastructure upgrades through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Efforts to open silica mines in southeast Missouri are bringing back memories of toxic lead mining that scarred the region centuries ago. Plus, a Midwest "rite of passage" that was predominantly done by teenagers has changed as seed companies shift jobs to migrant workers.

A company called Nexgen Silica hopes to build a mine in St. Genevieve County. Residents who live with the toxic legacy of lead mining worry history could be repeating itself.

Over the last six months, NPR’s Midwest Newsroom and The Missouri Independent have worked to figure out why children in our region have high levels of lead their blood. A event on Aug. 30 offers members of the public to ask questions and share their concerns.

The Democratic lawmaker visited the Olathe home of Jerry Land, whose lead service line was recently replaced by the city.

Lead left behind in soil from mining and smelting poses a major health risk to people who live nearby. Researchers in Nebraska and Kansas believe plant life and organic material can limit lead’s spread.

Debido a la exposición de artículos que contienen plomo, ya sean comprados en una tienda local nueva de descuento o de segunda mano los niños son especialmente vulnerables a la intoxicación.

Abortion has emerged as a big topic on the campaign trail for the seven Republican candidates vying for Missouri's 4th district congressional seat, which is being vacated by Rep. Vicky Hartzler. Plus, antique toys could put children at risk of lead poisoning.