By Ricky Dana, Candidate for US House, Missouri-4
What’s Happening in Henry County
Residents near the former Montrose Power Plant—now used for fly-ash disposal—have raised alarms after independent tests found dangerously high levels of cancer-causing chemicals like hexavalent chromium, radium, arsenic, lead, and cobalt in soil and water on private properties and near the Davis R-12 School District grounds (pflaw.com, mykdkd.com, kshb.com, kmbc.com).
How It’s Affecting Local Health
Families are worried sick—literally. Testing at the Davis school and surrounding properties revealed contaminants above EPA screening levels. Students were relocated off-site because playgrounds and school grounds tested positive for hazardous substances (kshb.com, kctv5.com). The community faces potential exposure to known carcinogens, raising fears of long-term illnesses.
Conflicting Reports, Unresolved Risks
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) tested at the school and found only arsenic above background levels and no hexavalent chromium, suggesting limited immediate danger—but this conclusion doesn’t ease local fears (kshb.com). More recent Sunbelt Environmental tests confirmed hexavalent chromium and arsenic above EPA thresholds in several locations—though radium remained below federal limits (mykdkd.com).
Federal Oversight Results: Encouraging, but Time-sensitive
On July 23, 2025, the EPA released soil sample results from Davis R-12 school. They found hexavalent chromium, arsenic, cobalt, and lead levels all within normal background or well below action levels—indicating no imminent risk to students or residents (epa.gov).
Action Plan for My Term in Congress
As your Representative, I’ll:
- Mandate comprehensive cleanup — Secure federal funds for soil, water, and air remediation, starting with the school and nearby properties.
- Require transparent testing — Establish an independent oversight panel (including EPA, DNR, and community members) to conduct regular, publicly accessible sampling.
- Protect our children — Fund health monitoring for affected residents, especially children, with long-term cancer screenings and medical support.
- Hold polluters accountable — Push for legislation enforcing stricter penalties and remediation obligations on companies mishandling fly ash—and close legal loopholes.
- Prevent future crises — Promote federal standards for fly-ash disposal, including mandatory liners and groundwater safeguards at all former coal-plant sites.
With your support, I’ll fight to restore safety, hold polluters responsible, and protect every family in Henry County.
Idea secured on August 7, 2025.
Sources:
Preuss | Foster Law – Montrose Power Plant Contamination
KMBC – Leaders in Henry County Address Concerns Over Fly Ash
KSHB – New Testing Results Show Above Reporting Limits
KCTV5 – Toxic Chemical Contamination Linked to Missouri Power Plant
KSHB – Missouri DNR Says No Concerning Levels Found
MyKDKD – Final Results of Fly Ash Testing & Next Steps