SEDL / STP / STP1226-EB / STP12968S

Literature Review of Sources of Elevated Soil-Lead Concentrations

Burgoon, DA
Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist, Statistics and Data Analysis Systems, Battelle, Columbus, OH

Brown, SF
Mathematical Statistician, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, SW, Washington, DC

Menton, RG
Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist, Statistics and Data Analysis Systems, Battelle, Columbus, OH

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1995

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Abstract

There is widespread evidence that elevated levels of lead in children's blood may result from exposure to house dust and soil containing lead. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted a comprehensive review of the scientific literature investigating the sources of the lead contamination of soil. This review focused on the evidence, cited in the literature, that a given source of lead was responsible for elevated soil-lead concentrations. Three primary sources of elevated soil lead were reported: 1) lead-based paint, 2) leaded gasoline emissions, and 3) lead point-source emitters. A range of analytical approaches were utilized to support the assertion that a particular source of lead contributed to surrounding elevated soil-lead levels. The interaction among the three sources, especially in urban environments, makes it difficult to ascertain which source might be the primary culprit in a particular environment. The highest soil-lead concentrations, however, are generally the result of peeling lead-based paint.