How do you clean up lead contaminated soil?

If you think the soil in your garden might be contaminated with lead, remove the outer leaves of leafy vegetables, peel all root vegetables, and wash the produce with a one percent vinegar solution.

Can soil be contaminated with lead?

Lead-contaminated soil particles can also be brought inside as lead dust or on shoes, clothing, or pets. Young children tend to put their hands, which may be contaminated with lead dust from soil, into their mouths. Children may also be exposed by eating fruits and vegetables grown in or near lead-contaminated soil.

How do you remove toxic metals from soil?

Phytoextraction or phytoaccumulation has emerged as a promising technique for soil remediation that can readily absorb heavy metals and purify the soil of its contaminants. Plants have a natural mechanism to take up and store nutrients according to their bioavailability in soil and the plant’s requirement.

Should I worry about lead in my soil?

Lead poses human health hazards when particles are inhaled or ingested. Lead does not enter the body through unbroken skin. In general, plants do not absorb lead into their tissues. Lead particles can settle on vegetables grown in lead-contaminated soil or in areas where lead-laden air pollution settles.

Is there a way to remove lead from soil?

Using plants to extract lead from soils is an emerging technology. Researchers have found that certain plants accumulate and tolerate very high concentrations of certain heavy metals in their shoots. These “hyperaccumulators” theoretically should be able to reduce lead levels in contaminated soil to an acceptable level.

How are lead levels measured after a Superfund cleanup?

Blood lead levels measured before and after cleanup confirm that exposure to lead has been reduced. The process of cleanup and changes in blood lead levels can be better understood by examining site cleanup work.

How does the EPA work to reduce lead in paint?

Residential lead-based paint – In order to reduce lead poisoning and promote efforts to reduce lead in and around homes, EPA has determined that contractors can manage residential lead-based paint as a household waste. In addition, EPA’s waste disposal and cleanup programs often involve sites contaminated with lead.

How does the movement of lead through soil affect its bioavailability?

The more easily the lead moves through the soil, the more of an impact it will have. The total soil concentration of lead alone has little or no bearing on lead mobility or bioavailability. In order become mobile, it must dissociate into pore water and migrate via mass transport. Solubilization of lead depends on a number of factors including: