What are the environmental health risks associated with soil lead and arsenic contamination?
Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning from soil lead contamination. This is true because lead-contaminated soil clings to fingers, toys, and other objects children normally put in their mouths. This is the most common way that lead in soil is ingested by children. Lead does not pass through unbroken skin. The following are websites with more information on the health risks associated with lead poisoning: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/cxlead.html, www.hud.gov/lea, http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/programs/lead/lead.htm, http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/index.html.
