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High lead in our soil, what should we do? #873278

Asked June 15, 2024, 7:58 PM EDT

We have done a soil test and are confused about what we should do for next steps. Our soil has high lead (238 ppm), and we have a 5 year old who is often playing barefoot... Can we scrape off the top layer of soil? Would that solve the issue? How deep would we need to go? Also, there are so many recommendations in the soil report... I'd love help thinking through a plan... where to start to holistically get our soil healthy for humans and plants to grow and thrive! I'm attaching a landscape design document our friend did, for what we were imagining for our ultimate goal.

Ulster County New York

Expert Response

Hi Robert and Jessica,

Thank you for contacting us! There is a lot of information in your Rutgers report. I am attaching the fact pages Rutgers suggests for the lead content in your soil (p.2 of report). Read this informnation carefully, it has great suggestions.

Also, I am sending information on sunflowers which actually help remove lead. You would have to pull them up by the roots at the end of the season and replant the next year. Then you could retest the soil in a couple years.

https://americanairtesting.com/lead-soil-abatement-with-sunflowers/

As far as landscaping advice, we do not do that. You can contact a local landscaper for advice in this area. 

I hope this reply is helpful to you and your family!

Thank you, Cynthia MGV


An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 17, 2024, 10:59 AM EDT

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