2005 Year in Review

Lead in Garden Soils

Even though lead paint was banned 25 years ago and leaded gasoline phased out in 1988, some soils may have high levels of lead in them, creating potential problems for vegetable and herb gardeners, said a University of Illinois Extension urban gardening educator based in Chicago.

"In Chicago last year, Northwestern University researchers found high levels of lead in vegetables and herbs grown in soils in the West Town neighborhood," he said. "High levels of lead in kids can cause damage to their nervous systems, behavior and learning problems and slowed growth. Most children will show no symptoms. That is what makes lead poisoning so dangerous."

Wolford pointed out that lead residue may still exist in soils close to older homes or next to heavily traveled roads and highways.

"Avoid planting vegetables in soils close to such sites," he said. "There are other steps you can take to reduce the build up of lead in garden soils and garden plants."

These include:
-- Choosing a site away from busy roads and old painted homes.
-- Wear gloves while working in the garden and wash hands thoroughly after leaving the garden.
-- Wash all edible vegetable crops. Peel any root crops like beets, turnips and carrots.
-- Grow edible fruiting vegetables like squash, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers because lead absorbed into these plants does not concentrate in the fruit.
-- Add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to your garden soil. Cornell University conducted research that found soils with a ph of 6.5 to 7.0 with high organic matter content will bind the lead in the soil, so it will not be taken up by the plant.

"Following these simple steps will help reduce the risks of lead poisoning from contaminated garden soils," said Wolford.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
March 29, 2005