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Home Garden Soil High Lead Levels #868252

Asked May 13, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT

Hello! My family recently had a part of our yard tested and the results came back with lead at 843.6 ppm which is considered "Highly Elevated". We only sampled the soil in one spot, so it is possible that there is only lead in that one particular area, but we want to test in multiple places to be certain. We have reached out to PG Health Department and MD Department of the Environment but want to take advantage of UMD's insights as well, since we live right down the street from campus. We have read the existing website information re: Soil Testing and Soil Testing Labs and understand than UMD does not do testing and instead recommends a specific (5) soil testing labs. Before we reach out to those labs, we'd love 5 minutes to talk with someone knowledgeable on the phone about any potential state or county or local programs we can take advantage of either for testing or in case the entire yard is as equally contaminated. Thank you in advance for any wisdom!!

Prince George's County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi- the University of Delaware soil testing lab includes lead in their basic soil testing package making it an economical choice. 

It would be a good idea to test the soil in any areas where you intend to garden, especially if growing food crops.

We don't know of any additional lead testing, abatement, and remediation programs beyond those you learned about from the DOE and PG Co. government.

UME's Lead in Garden Soil page
Jon

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