Lead Paint Risk - Landscaping Concerns and Your Children

by Denise

When you think of landscaping, you probably don't think of the potential risk of lead exposure for your children. You would think that landscaping is a straight-forward project. Just prepare the soil, dig the holes and plant.

If your home was built prior to 1978, there's a chance the soil around your foundation and along your driveway is contaminated with lead. This should be a concern for you because if dirt becomes dry, it can be kicked up into the air as dust. Your child can breathe in that dust which can lead to many different health issues.

• Nerve damage which can cause mental retardation, uncontrollable spasms, etc.
• Behavioral issues and learning difficulties
• Hearing problems
• Headaches
• Growth retardation

Before starting any landscaping project, have your soil tested. If there is more than 300 parts per million (ppm) present in the soil, you need to take precautions. Most surface soils in the U.S. contain between 7 to 20 ppm lead, so even 100 ppm raises red flags in some states.

Landscape Lead Testing Guidelines

Play areas – Sample the soil between 1/2 to 1-inch deep.

Gardening areas – Sample the soil 3 to 4-inches deep.

Landscape Safety Guidelines If Lead is Detected

Fortunately, if you do find that lead is present in your soil, the actions you need to take don't have to be too drastic. Consider what you plan to do within the landscape.

• If the area is capable of supporting grass, you can cover it with lawn. Prior to planting, you need to immobilize the lead by raising the pH and adding organic matter to the soil. Also work with the soil moist, so dust isn't created. Then cover the area with sod.
• If possible, remove the contaminated soil. Your city and/or state will have guidelines for how to dispose of the soil.
• If this isn't possible, the contaminated soil can be covered. Pouring a patio over the area or installing pavers are options which as very effective, especially if a layer of landscaping fabric creates a barrier between the contaminated soil and the pavers.

Because plants don't take up much of the lead in the soil, your greatest concern when working around lead contaminated soil is to prevent your children from playing in it. Mud can be as bad as dust if a child eats it, so remove or cover any contaminated soil around your home.