Free Press Soil Tests Found That 1 in 10 Omaha Yards the EPA Marked As Cleaned Still Have Lead Levels High Enough to Qualify for Cleanup

The EPA has spent $273 million since 1999 remediating nearly 14,000 yards around a former lead smelter. Mary Royers, a 36-year-old educator, learned her yard tested at 1.5 times the EPA's cleanup threshold, saying she felt gut-wrenching disbelief. The news organizations tested over 600 properties, including 150 the EPA said were remediated.

Nearly a quarter of east Omaha properties tested could qualify for further study under new Trump administration guidance. Howard Mielke, a lead contamination researcher at Tulane, said the findings suggest the EPA has more work to do. The EPA declined an interview request with senior officials overseeing the cleanup. affect their quality of life.