One of EBAYS’ ongoing projects is youth-lead research to test lead levels in soil. In these programs, youth use rigorous scientific practices for testing heavy metals in soil under the supervision of Lawrence Hall of Science staff and scientists.
We have lead testing programs in California throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento; Flint, Michigan; and Chelsea, Massachusetts.
We are currently seeking partners to pilot test programming in other cities and states throughout the US! See the Current & Upcoming Programs page for more details
Interpreting Lead Levels
View the table below to learn how to respond to lead levels in your area. Soil lead levels are represented in the unit parts per million (ppm). Lead is naturally occurring in most soils, generally ranging from 2 – 60 ppm.
| Soil Lead Level (ppm) | Level of Lead Contamination | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 80 ppm | Very Low (green) | Little to no health risk, but be aware of other possible sources of lead exposure. |
| 81 – 400 ppm | Medium (yellow) | Reduce children’s exposure and play Wash hands after playing outside Maintain grass, or mulch, over bare soil Discourage children’s play. Gardens: wash all vegetables with 1% vinegar solution; peel root crops; do not compost peelings/leaves |
| 401 – 999 ppm | High (orange) | Restrict children’s access to soil. Cover soil with dense grass, or mulch. Grow vegetables in raised beds filled with non-contaminated soil If possible re-test soil in other areas of your property Do not allow children to access soil. Do not grow vegetables. Contact your local health department |
| 1,000 ppm + | Very High (red) | If possible re-test soil in other areas of your property Do not allow children to access soil. Do not grow vegetables. Contact your local health department |
Our Data
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