What Happened
In early 2025, through our internal testing protocols, we became aware of elevated readings of ambient lead on one of our air monitors located near our facility.
Upon identifying the issue, we immediately notified the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and investigated the cause.
We determined that a piece of equipment had malfunctioned, and we promptly took it out of service.
We have implemented design enhancements to our equipment and operational improvements to prevent this from happening again.
As confirmed by the MPCA, the issue was resolved and air monitoring results have returned to levels well below the applicable standards.
Upon identifying the issue in early 2025, we immediately notified the MPCA of the elevated readings of ambient lead.
Prior to this incident, we have been in full compliance with all applicable federal and state air emissions regulations for lead since 2012, including the stricter standards for ambient air emissions set by the Environmental Protection Agency effective in 2009.
No. All monitoring data from April through August—the most recent months for which data is currently available—has remained well below the applicable federal standards.1
1Source: Details on the MPCA’s website: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/local-sites-and-projects/eagan-gopher-resource
Since the incident occurred, we have taken proactive steps to identify and remediate the equipment malfunction.
We have implemented design enhancements to our equipment and operational improvements to prevent this from happening again, and as confirmed by the MPCA, air monitoring results have returned to levels well below the applicable standards.
We continue to actively work with the MPCA and remain in compliance with all federal and state environmental regulations for lead emissions.
Area of Focus and Health Concerns
Out of an abundance of caution, the MPCA initially identified an area of focus extending approximately ¾ mile from the fence line of the Gopher Resource facility.
Subsequently, the MPCA determined that additional data warranted a reduction of the area of focus by 87% to an area within 500 feet of the fence line of the Gopher Resource facility.
It is important to understand that exposure to lead does not always lead to adverse health effects. The impact on a person’s health depends on various factors, including the method of exposure, the duration of exposure, and individual factors. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends testing blood for lead exposure.
Based on the MPCA’s data, the elevated air monitor readings occurred in early 2025 and then promptly decreased. By April, the measure used for regulatory compliance returned to levels well below the applicable federal standard.
It is important to understand that exposure to lead does not always lead to adverse health effects. The impact on a person’s health depends on various factors, including the method of exposure, the duration of exposure, and individual factors.
As noted during the MPCA, MDH and Dakota County virtual Public Meeting on July 21, 2025, MDH advised, “Typically, MDH does not see increases in elevated blood lead levels from this type of air release alone.” MDH further stated that “it is not advising doctor visits solely due to this event.”1
1Source: https://minnesota.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/minnesota/recording/8f12bf7a489b103ebb5cb246907cb953/playback
Lead is a mineral that is present throughout the environment, including being naturally present in soil and water.
Related to this incident, the City of Eagan contracted with an independent environmental laboratory to collect 40 soil samples from active use areas at three city park locations near the facility: Thresher Off-Leash Dog Park and Thresher athletic fields – both of which are either completely or partially located within the 500-foot zone outside the fence line of Gopher Resource – and Burr Oaks Park.
All results are well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) residential soil threshold for concern. This means the lead levels found in these parks are considered low and not a health concern under current EPA guidelines.1
Additionally, soil screening was offered as a community service by the MPCA and 164 samples were collected at the MPCA Open House in July and later at the Wescott Library. More than 95% of those test results were well below the EPA residential soil threshold for lead. Dakota County also collected 25 samples, and those test results also were well below the EPA residential soil threshold for lead.2
1 Source: Details on the MPCA’s website: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/local-sites-and-projects/eagan-gopher-resource
2 Source: https://minnesota.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/minnesota/recording/8f12bf7a489b103ebb5cb246907cb953/playback
Eagan’s water system remains secure, and the likelihood of lead entering the water supply is extremely low. To verify this, water samples were collected from the Yankee Reservoir and submitted to a certified laboratory for analysis. The test results confirmed that no lead was detected in the water.1
1 Source: Details on the MPCA’s website: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/local-sites-and-projects/eagan-gopher-resource
There are myriad sources of lead in the environment, including historic leaded gasoline and lead paint, mining activities, electricity generation, and from consumer products, such as lead in jewelry and toys, lead in ammunition and fishing gear, and many others.
According to the EPA, 70 percent of all lead currently in the air comes from piston-engine aircraft emissions. While most leaded gasoline was phased out 30 years ago, leaded fuel is still in use by certain aircraft.
Other sources of lead include smoke from fires, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes. Smokers, as well as those exposed to second-hand, or third-hand smoke can exhibit increased blood lead levels compared to those not exposed to tobacco smoke.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is not recommending any additional blood lead testing as a result of this incident beyond the MDH health guidelines stating that all children should receive blood lead tests at ages one and two.
MDH data from the area around Gopher Resource does not indicate higher-than-normal levels of lead in children and, in fact, is significantly lower than the rest of Minnesota.1
1 Source: https://mndatamaps.web.health.state.mn.us/interactive/lead.html
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends testing blood for lead exposure and the CDC’s website notes two medically accepted collection tests: capillary sample (e.g., finger prick) or a venous sample.
With respect to bone lead testing, the Minnesota Department of Health has advised that:
- There are no FDA-approved tests for lead in bones, and neither the Minnesota Department of Health nor a medical provider can offer bone lead testing.
- XRF screening devices, which have been used for these tests for lead in bones, emit radiation and are not approved for use on humans.
- There also are no established “normal” ranges for lead in bones.
The MPCA’s own assessment finds that they “would not expect pets to develop lead-related symptoms due to the recent air release event” and that “lead poisoning in pets is more likely in situations where they are exposed to large amounts of lead.”1
Additionally, the City of Eagan performed testing on soil samples from the Thresher Off-Leash Dog Park. The results were well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) residential soil threshold for concern.2
1 Source: MPCA Website: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/local-sites-and-projects/eagan-gopher-resource
2 Source: https://cityofeagan.com/gopher-resource-monitor
Air Emissions Monitoring
Gopher Resource maintains and operates our own monitors as part of our internal compliance efforts. However, the MPCA’s monitor and its results are the only ones that are used to determine regulatory compliance.
Soil Emissions Monitoring
The City of Eagan contracted with an independent environmental laboratory to collect 40 soil samples from across wide active use areas at three city park locations near the facility: Thresher Off-Leash Dog Park and Thresher athletic fields – both of which are either completely or partially located within the 500-foot zone outside the fence line of Gopher Resource – and Burr Oaks Park.
All results are well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) residential soil threshold for concern. This means the lead levels found in these parks are considered low and not a health concern under current EPA guidelines.1
Additionally, soil screening was offered as a community service by the MPCA and 164 samples were collected at the MPCA Open House in July and at the Wescott Library. More than 95% of those test results were below the EPA residential soil threshold for concern. Dakota County also collected 25 samples, and those test results also were well below the EPA residential soil threshold for lead.2
