1. Why is lead in soil?
Almost all of the lead in soil comes from lead-based paint chips flaking from homes, factory pollution, and the use of leaded gasoline. Over time lead builds up in soil. Lead levels in soil are usually higher in cities, near roadways and industries that use lead, and next to homes where crumbling lead paint has fallen into the soil.
2. How much is too much?
The danger of the lead in soil depends on:
- the amount of lead in the soil around your house
- and the amount of soil that gets into your child.
The amount of lead in soil is measured in parts per million (ppm). The greater the amount of lead in soil, the higher the ppm number. Soil naturally has small amounts of lead in it, about 50 ppm. 200-500 ppm of lead is commonly found in city soil. 1,000 ppm is a high amount of lead in soil and is defined as hazardous waste.
3. How does lead get from the soil into my child?
Lead in dirt clings to fingers, toys and other objects that children normally put in their mouths. This is the most common way that lead in soil gets into your child. Lead in soil does not pass through unbroken skin. If soil is covered with plants, rocks or other ground cover, children have less contact with the dirt and the lead in it. The more lead that is in your soil, the more harmful the soil can be to your children's health.
4. Can I protect my child from lead in soil?
If the amount of lead in your soil is 200 ppm
or over, and if the soil is not covered with
many plants or thick ground cover...
Then you should consider one or more of the following
suggestions to make your soil safer.
- Prevent nearby sources of lead from contaminating soil, for example control peeling house paint. Call your local health department for appropriate methods.
- Plant and maintain grass or other thick ground cover.
- Cover the soil with a thick layer of gravel, wood chips or other materials.
- Pave the area.
If you have no other alternative, remove the top 3 to 6 inches of soil and replace with uncontaminated soil. CAUTION: Soil with lead levels of 1,000 ppm or more is considered hazardous waste by the California Department of Health Services. Before you move soil, call your local health department.
5. Will lead in soil get into the vegetables in my garden?
In general, vegetables that are grown in soil containing lead do not absorb much lead. Soil with lead is more dangerous to children who play in it than to children who eat vegetables grown in it. However, here are some ways you can reduce the amount of lead absorbed into vegetables:
- Add compost or lime to the soil.
- Plant fruiting or leafy vegetables, such as lettuce or tomatoes, because they take in less lead then potatoes, carrots, turnips and other root crops.
Dust contaminated with lead settles on garden plants. Vegetables should be washed with vinegar and water, or peeled. The outer leaves may also be thrown away.
Other Health Tips:
- Wash children's hands before eating.
- Have all family members and guests take off their shoes before entering the house so that lead dust from soil will not get inside.
Meals should be nutritious and include fruits and vegetables, calcium-rich foods, like milk and iron-rich foods, like meat, and iron-fortified cereals.
Testing Your Soil For Lead
Areas in your yard where your children normally play should be the first to be tested. Soil in other areas, such as near the outside of your house or near the street may also contain lead. These areas pose less risk, since your children do not spend much time playing here.
- Select area(s) for sample.
- Scrape soil from the top 1/2 inch of each area with a clean trowel or shovel.
- Collect about 1 cup of dirt and place in a clean plastic bag. Any plants or grass that are growing in the sample should be cut out with scissors. Plant roots may stay in the sample.
Send the sample to a testing laboratory certified by the California Department or Health Services. To get a list of certified laboratories contact your local health department.
Testing Your Child
Children aged 9 months through 5 years are at the greatest risk for lead poisoning. Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. Ask your doctor to perform a blood lead test on your children. This is the only way to know if they are being lead poisoned. Your doctor should explain the results of the test to you. Most children will have a test result below 10 pg/dl. If you or your doctor need more information about lead poisoning call the local health department
If you have Medi-Cal,
your regular doctor or clinic can order the blood tests to check
for lead poisoning, if appropriate. Many private health insurance
policies will also cover the cost of this test. Whether or not
your family has insurance, your children may qualify for free
health examinations through your local Child Health and Disability
Prevention (CHDP) program. To find out if your child is eligible
for CHDP testing, call your local health department.
For more information about lead in soil and making your garden
safer, call your local health department.
