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Gardening

In reply to the discussion: chicago's hidden farms [View all]

scubadude

(3,556 posts)
12. I urge potential uban gardeners to have their soils tested.
Sun Jan 13, 2013, 05:57 PM
Jan 2013

Just because you think YOU are safe doesn't mean everyone is safe. Families with small children are especially at risk from the dangers of lead contaminated soils. I suggest you reexamine your position.

I quote the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service:

Lead is the most common contaminant in urban soils, and intake of contaminated soil—through direct ingestion, dust inhalation, or exposure to soil clinging to produce—may pose a serious health risk. Young children and pregnant women are at the greatest risk from lead contamination, as high lead exposure may result in behavioral and learning disabilities. Lead may be derived from a number of pervasive sources, including gasoline emissions, paint chips from older buildings, plumbing pipes, and industrial processes. Lead accumulates where it is deposited and is not easily removed from soil. Soil testing for lead is essential prior
to gardening in an urban setting, and if high levels are found, steps must be taken to minimize lead exposure and prevent health risks.

The bulk of this excellent pdf can be found here: http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-78_Urban_Soil_Contaminants.pdf

Scuba

Recommendations

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chicago's hidden farms [View all] mopinko Jan 2013 OP
One thing I really miss about living in Chicago is the rich, black soil. jillan Jan 2013 #1
Same as in Michigan Michigan-Arizona Jan 2013 #2
my soil actually kinda sucks. mopinko Jan 2013 #4
I've got what the soil people call kurtzapril4 Jan 2013 #20
yeah, like aurora. mopinko Jan 2013 #21
Grow your own! JEB Jan 2013 #3
The black soil was what helped settle the area. jerseyjack Jan 2013 #5
The Potawatomi called the Nodding Onion - Che-ca-gou rosesaylavee Jan 2013 #14
Moved from Will County... GTurck Jan 2013 #6
My utopian dream is seeing a garden on every rooftop. gtar100 Jan 2013 #7
Just make sure to test your soil for lead. You don't want to poison yourself inadvertantly... scubadude Jan 2013 #8
first, i am building a lot of new soil with composting mopinko Jan 2013 #9
If you are using urban soil, have it tested. Simple enough. scubadude Jan 2013 #10
arsenic and mercury fall from the sky here. mopinko Jan 2013 #11
I urge potential uban gardeners to have their soils tested. scubadude Jan 2013 #12
i don't think i am safe. i think i am doomed. mopinko Jan 2013 #13
One question - how is it that all the roofs are sturdy enough to handle truedelphi Jan 2013 #15
that is a big barrier to there being even more than there are. mopinko Jan 2013 #16
The Chicago Fire of 1873 truedelphi Jan 2013 #17
1871 mopinko Jan 2013 #18
I had never heard that "comet-fire" theory. truedelphi Jan 2013 #19
things haven't changed tthhhaaaaatt much. mopinko Jan 2013 #22
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»chicago's hidden farms»Reply #12