Dive summary:

• A tornado that desecrated Joplin Mo. last year left resonating damage in the form of toxic material deposits in the soil, to make the city safe again the EPA has awarded Joplin $2.4 million in cleanup funds.
• The most prevalent toxin found in the soil is lead, which is linked to the city’s past as a lead-mining town.
• The $2.4 million, in addition to the $500,000 awarded to Joplin in December, will be used to replace soils and restore yards at 240 homes, parks, playgrounds and child occupied properties over the next three years.

From the article:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is coming to the aid of Joplin, Mo. in a big way after last year's powerful and deadly tornado churned up toxic and contaminated soils across the city.

In a major announcement on Thursday, the EPA awarded $2.4 million to the city of Joplin to test and remove lead and cadmium-contaminated soils disturbed by the May 22, 2011 tornado. This is on top of $500,000 the EPA awarded to the city in December. ...