Erin Brockovich in Missouri Investigating Lead Waste

Jun 16, 2010 at 8:10 am

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The real Erin Brockovich

The environmental activist made famous by actress Julia Roberts in the 2000 film Erin Brockovich, will be about 70 miles south of St. Louis this week investigating possible lead contamination in the towns of Park Hills and Desloge.

As the Park Hills Daily Journal reports, Brockovich will be joined by environmental investigator Robert Bowcock to examine whether lawns in the region contain dangerous amounts of lead and other heavy metals.

The region is home to several mounds of leftover lead-mine waste, known as chat, that can get airborne during high winds. The Doe Run Co. inherited the chat piles when it bought the old St. Joe Mine Company. Doe Run has said it's committed to making sure the region is safe.