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Soil Lead at Elementary Public Schools: Comparison Between School Properties and Residential Neighbourhoods of New Orleans

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Abstract

Soil studies, conducted in Maryland, Minnesota and Louisiana, have described the urban pattern of lead contamination. They have shown that the highest amounts of lead cluster within the interior of the largest cities. The results of the New Orleans urban patterns of distribution of soil lead provided the basis for further study. The hypothesis was tested that elementary school properties have the same pattern of soil lead contamination as their neighbouring residential communities. Thirty New Orleans Public Elementary Schools were selected for this study. Surface samples (2.5 cm or 1 inch depth) were collected from playgrounds and next to entrances of each school. Results showed that soil lead on school properties follows the same relative contamination patterns (p‐value ≤ 10−5) as soil lead on residential properties of neighbouring communities. Schools however, have significantly lower lead contamination than the neighbouring residential properties. Inner‐city school properties present a higher risk of soil lead exposure than mid and outer‐city schools. Soils next to inner‐city school entrances showed the highest lead, with 18.5% having concentrations over 400 μg g−1. Systematic landscaping around the school entrances would significantly reduce the hazard from lead dust contaminated soils.

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Authors
  1. Felicia J. Higgs
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  2. Howard W. Mielke
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  3. Michelle Brisco
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Higgs, F.J., Mielke, H.W. & Brisco, M. Soil Lead at Elementary Public Schools: Comparison Between School Properties and Residential Neighbourhoods of New Orleans. Environmental Geochemistry and Health 21, 27–36 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006552627021

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