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Fact Sheet
August 2009
Lead Soil Contamination Guidelines, Herculaneum, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages property owners with lead levels above 400 parts per million (ppm) to take special steps to reduce the risk of exposure. The following guidelines are offered to those who live in areas with elevated soil lead levels.
LEAD EXPOSURE
If soil contains lead, the most likely way people can get lead into their bodies is through eating or swallowing contaminated dirt. Young children (under 6 years of age) are at the highest risk for getting lead into their bodies from soil. Normal activities at this age include playing in dirt and putting their hands, toys and other objects in their mouths. This increases the chance for swallowing small amounts of lead. When a child repeatedly has exposure, the lead can build up in their body and may reach levels that can cause health problems.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful if breathed in or swallowed. Children are more sensitive to lead than adults and can develop lifelong disabilities and behavior problems when too much lead builds up in their bodies. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also avoid exposure to lead because lead can pass from the mother to unborn children, and to nursing children from breast milk.
Lead poisoning can cause these health effects in infants and young children:
- Slowed physical growth
- Hearing problems
- Nervous system damage
- Learning problems
- Behavior problems including hyperactivity
- Decreased intelligence
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE
- Do not let your children play in areas that have elevated lead levels in soil
- Wash your children's hands after playing outside and before meals
- Vacuum often and dust with a damp cloth to help remove dust that might have lead in it
- Put washable doormats or rugs at all entries to your home and wash the mats every week
- Remove or wipe shoes before entering your home
- Wash children's toys frequently with soap and water, especially when they have been playing outside
- Eat a diet high in calcium and iron and low in fat. Eating this type of diet may lower the amount of lead that children get into their bodies. Iron-rich foods include red meats, fish or chicken; iron-enriched cereals; and dried fruits. Calcium-rich foods include milk, yogurt, cheese and leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and collard greens.
GARDENING GUIDELINES
If you eat vegetables grown in soil that contains lead, lead can get into your body. To lower the amount of lead that gets into your body from eating vegetables grown in your garden, avoid planting root crops in soil that contains more than 1,000 ppm of lead and do not plant crops in soil that contains more than 1,500 ppm of lead. Always wash and peel all vegetables, fruit and root crops before eating. Consider using raised beds with clean dirt for your garden.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information go to:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Toxicological Profile for Lead:
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs13.html
ToxFAQs for Lead:
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts13.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil:
https://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Healthy Homes and Lead-Hazard Control:
www.hud.gov/offices/lead
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:
www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/lead.htm
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas
66101
Phone: 913-551-7253
Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425
himes.beckie@epa.gov
Jim Aycock
RCRA Compliance Officer
Air and Waste Management Division
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: 913-551-7887
Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425
aycock.jim@epa.gov