Digging Deeper on Gardens and Lead Poisoning

In our last post, we covered lead in soil. Today, let’s dig a little deeper – into your garden! If your home was built before 1978 or is near a busy road, you may want to take a few precautions to keep your family safe from lead in the soil.

Wait – there’s lead in my garden?

It’s possible. Most lead in soil comes from old, chipped paint or years of traffic emissions (especially before leaded gasoline was banned). If your home has old paint, those flakes can fall or wash into the soil over time, especially around the base of the house.

You may want to test your soil if:

• Your home was built before 1978.
• You live near a major roadway.
• You’re starting a garden in bare or previously undisturbed soil.
• You notice peeling exterior paint nearby.

Soil testing is easy and currently costs about $40. In Wisconsin, you can send a sample to the State Lab of Hygiene for analysis.

Can my plants absorb lead from the soil?

Lead can stay in soil for a long time, and some plants can take up lead through the soil. In general, tall leafy plants (like mustard, cabbage, Swiss chard, collard greens) and fruiting plants (like tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber, zucchini) are less likely to absorb lead from the soil. Root crops (particularly carrots) are more likely to contain lead above recommended levels. Washing and peeling these vegetables greatly reduces your chances of ingesting lead.

Steps for safer gardening

• Plant fruits and vegetables outside of the dripline, which is the area directly below the edge of the roof overhang, a few feet away from the base of the house. Or try planting in raised beds filled with clean soil or compost.
• After gardening: Wash your hands, take off your boots, and clean dirt off your clothing before coming inside.
• Before eating: Wash homegrown fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Peel root vegetables, especially carrots.
• Talk to a professional for big projects. If you’re removing a lot of soil or disturbing areas near peeling paint, it may be best to talk with a professional. They can help make sure you're not accidentally spreading lead around.

Have questions?

• Talk to a nurse about lead poisoning: 608-243-0304
• Talk to us about lead in your home: 608-242-6515
• Español:  608-243-0380