Ongoing Lead Contamination Issues in Omaha, Nebraska
Despite extensive financial efforts toward environmental cleanup, more than half of the yards in a specific area of Omaha, Nebraska, remain contaminated with lead. This contamination poses a health risk, especially to children, based on tests conducted by the Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica.
The high lead levels are prevalent throughout the city’s older sections. These include historically Black neighborhoods north of downtown, predominantly Hispanic areas to the south, and more affluent areas in midtown. Homes closest to the former lead smelter and other downtown factories tend to show slightly higher levels of contamination than those further away.
Historical Background and Cleanup Efforts
Since the late 1990s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working with Omaha to remove lead from yards as part of the Superfund program. The EPA set the cleanup standard in 2009, based on health recommendations from 1994. Recent research, however, indicates that even low lead exposure can cause significant health issues, such as IQ loss in children and heart problems in adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has twice reduced its threshold for what constitutes high blood-lead levels in the past 15 years.
An EPA risk model suggests that to protect children according to updated health guidelines, soil lead levels should be under 100 parts per million (ppm). Testing in the Omaha Superfund site by Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica showed that 208 out of 388 homes exceeded this level. The current EPA policy requires cleanup only if soil levels reach over 400 ppm. Even among homes that were remediated, 10% still tested above this threshold.
The EPA’s spokesperson, Kellen Ashford, mentioned that soil lead removal is just one method of protecting communities. Collaborating with local health officials, the EPA also provides support through initiatives like the Omaha Lead Registry and the Douglas County Health Department’s lead poisoning prevention program.
Challenges and Future Directions
The percentage of children testing high for lead levels in Omaha has dropped, mirroring national trends. However, the rates remain above the national average. Ashford highlighted the significant decrease in elevated blood-lead levels in the area. The EPA’s evolving guidance has created challenges in applying consistent cleanup standards across Superfund sites.
For example, in 2024, President Joe Biden’s administration lowered the screening level recommendation to as little as 100 ppm, whereas later changes by the Trump administration raised this level to 200 ppm to prioritize high-risk areas.
Internationally and domestically, some places have committed to stricter standards. Norway mandates risk assessments for soil with more than 100 ppm of lead and requires remediation for playgrounds and daycares. In the U.S., states like Minnesota and cities like New Orleans have also implemented lower limits for soil lead concentrations around homes and public spaces.
Local Impact and Individual Responses
Local residents, like Natalie Thorpe, are concerned about the ongoing lead contamination. Thorpe, a teacher, purchased a home in Omaha aware of the Superfund site, but believed that the EPA had already addressed the lead issues. Instead, her yard’s lead levels remain hazardous yet not high enough for mandatory cleanup.
“It feels a little bit like being a sitting duck,” Thorpe expressed.
Simple preventive measures like maintaining ground cover and following hygiene practices can reduce lead exposure risks. Yet, as Tom Neltner from the nonprofit Unleaded Kids noted, these are not long-term solutions. He emphasized the need for strong leadership at various government levels to support and find comprehensive solutions.
This summer, the EPA plans to conduct more soil testing around Omaha to decide whether the site’s boundaries should be expanded or if lower lead levels should qualify for cleanup. Results are expected by October 2027. Without effective cleanup, Omaha’s residents must continue to address these environmental challenges with vigilance and advocacy.