Lead Paint in SoilMASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH | BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Protecting Children from High Levels
of Lead in Soil
Children are most commonly harmed by lead from
lead-based paint and lead dust.
Children can also be harmed by lead in soil. Soil is
more likely to have high lead levels near old homes
or buildings with chipping paint, busy roads, or
properties contaminated by historic dumping.
Unsafe renovation or scraping of old paint that has
lead can also cause high levels of lead in soil.
HOW DOES LEAD IN SOIL GET INTO
CHILDREN’S BODIES?
Children can be hurt by lead in soil if they:
Swallow soil, dust, or paint chips,
Put their hands in their mouths after
touching soil, dust, or paint chips,
Breathe in lead dust, or
Eat fruits and vegetables grown in soil with
high levels of lead.
HOW DOES LEAD MAKE CHILDREN SICK?
Lead harms the developing brains of young
children. Toddlers have the highest chance of being
harmed by lead because they are naturally curious
and often put their hands in their mouths. Most
children with high levels of lead in their blood do not
look or act sick. A blood lead test is the only way to
measure the level of lead in a child’s body. There is
no safe level of lead in children.
Lead can also pass from a pregnant woman to her
developing baby. Women who are pregnant, or
plan to become pregnant, should talk to their doctor
about their chance of being hurt by lead and if they
should have a blood lead test.
COMMON SOURCES OF LEAD IN SOIL
LEAD FACTS
Infants, young children under 6, and
pregnant women are most likely to be
harmed by lead.
Toddlers have the highest chance of
being hurt by lead because they are
naturally curious and often put their
hands in their mouths.
Children are most commonly harmed
by lead from lead-based paint dust
and chips in their home.
Soil is more likely to have high lead
levels near:
- Old homes or buildings,
- Busy roads, or
- Properties contaminated by
historic dumping.
There is no safe level of lead in
children.
Talk to your child’s doctor if you are
concerned that your child may be
harmed by lead.
DON’T:
Do NOT let children play with bare soil that has high
levels of lead. Do NOT let children eat on or near bare soil.
DO:
Talk to your child’s doctor about a blood lead test.
In MA, children must be tested at ages 1, 2, and 3,
and sometimes at 4, depending on where they live.
Use a doormat and remove shoes before entering
a home.
Use raised beds with a water permeable liner and
clean soil for vegetable gardens.
Cover soil with grass, wood chips, mulch, mats or
other ground cover. Use sand boxes for children.
W ash hands after touching soil and especially
before eating.
Ke ep your pets clean. Dogs and cats can bring
dirt inside on their paws or fur.
Wash all vegetables and fruits. Peel root
vegetables.
Ma intain the exterior paint on your home.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-624-5757 |
www.mass.gov/dph/environmental_health
May 2020