Are residents being exposed to harmful levels of lead in the soil?
No. Adult and child exposures from incidentally ingesting lead are not expected to result in harmful health effects; the estimated exposure doses are below levels of health effects documented in the toxicological literature, and the calculated blood lead level is below CDC’s health guideline. These exposures are evaluated further in this section following a brief description of lead and its uses, its fate and transport in the body, and potential health effects. Lead is a bluish-gray metal naturally found in small amounts in the Earth’s crust. Detection of large amounts is usually the result of human activities. Lead has no distinguishable taste or smell. It can exist in a metallic form or combine with other chemicals to form lead compounds or salts. Lead is used in the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products, and in ceramic glazes and paints. It is also used in a variety of medical (e.g., radiation shields to protect against X-rays and in fetal monitors), scientific (e.g.,
