Lead in Soil
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Anonymous
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We just bought a house, and a huge selling point for us was the big back yard - 5000 sq ft for our kids to play. We did a lead test for the soil, assuming we'd have some but we just got back the results and it is 6600 PPM, off the charts.
Our lead inspector's canned response for permanent solution suggested removing and replacing 4-6inches of topsoil (or paving it, which we are not interested in doing). Has anyone ever dealt with this or done something similar? Recommendations? Do we need a permit for this type work? Thanks! |
Anonymous
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Call the National Lead Information Center for guidance - 1-800-424-LEAD
In your shoes, I would have the soil re-tested. That sounds insanely high. Do you know the history of the place? |
Anonymous
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OP: the houses on the blocks are 100 years old.
My theories: 1) The previous owner that did all the renovations in the 90s may have done all the sanding/demolition debris holding in the backyard 2) they may have torn down two houses (in the 70s?) to build the apartments two lots down. 3) I found that the area used to be a plant nursery for the White House horticulturist could have used lead-based pesticides in the 1880s. But that wouldn’t account for the discrepancy of the front yard, which “only” tested 515. Side yards tested In between- 2000-3200 |
Anonymous
| Who did the lead testing? |
Anonymous
| I would get another test and contact your county or a remediation service (which should be different from the inspection). |
Anonymous
LeadCheck.Pro |
Anonymous
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Can you ask the neighbors to test? If they might care?
Are you near a busy street? Any connection to leaded gasoline (spill, underground storage tank, near highway)? Building demolition seems a reasonable hypothesis. |
Anonymous
| We live near John Lewis Elementary in NW DC. Close to 14th street. There’s a gas station a quarter mile away but the front yard is closer to it and has far lower levels than the back. |
Anonymous
| Replacing the top soil is expensive but not as expensive as you may assume. Plus you’ll have a much nicer medium to plant |
Anonymous
| Where do you live, OP? |
Anonymous
| OP: 16th street heights in DC |
Anonymous
| Ask your listserv whether other neighbors have dealt with this. You could also look in the public permit database - I noticed some people on my street had lead soil work done. |