Soil Samples Reveal High Lead Levels in Houston’s Greater Fifth Ward Neighborhood [Video]

In a new study, scientists tested soil samples from residential and play areas in the Greater Fifth Ward, a neighborhood of Houston, Texas and found high concentrations of lead.

The researchers tested for heavy metals and metalloids, such as lead, arsenic and mercury. While the levels for most of the heavy metals and metalloids appeared in line or lower than usual for urban locations, the average amount of lead was higher than the typical amount of lead present in soil in Texas. The team published their findings in Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.

The scientists found a median of 400 milligrams of lead per kilogram of soil in seven samples from play areas and 1,200 milligrams per kilogram in three residential soil samples. But the actual amount of lead could be even higher, as the team did not account for lead-based paint or vehicle fuel.

“Heavy metals and metalloids have been extensively studied and regulated over the past …