State decides to take child
Lead levels at the home of the boy's foster family were deemed too risky.

Published: February 28, 2004

PICHER A little boy has been removed from a foster home in the Tar Creek Superfund Site because of the high risk of lead poisoning in the area.

The child, whose name wasn't released, was taken Wednesday from the home of Rickey and Nina Martin and placed with another family outside the 40 square-mile area, said Paul Sund, a spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry.

The Department of Human Services was the agency in charge of the removal and relocation of the child, Sund said.

"Governor Henry has directed the DHS not to place kids 6 years old and under in the Picher-Cardin area because we believe that that age group is at a health risk in the area, Sund said.

Years of lead and zinc mining in the 20th century left numerous hazards, including lead contamination, open mine shafts, cave-ins and water quality degradation.

Children in the region have tested high for lead in their blood. Excessive lead exposure can result in learning disabilities and other health problems in children, particularly those 6 and younger.

Henry is seeking legislative funding for a limited buyout of families with children who are 6 or younger who live within the Superfund site in Ottawa County.

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