The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50353

Helen Binns, MD, MPH¹, Nicholas Peneff, DrPH, CIH², Kimberly A. Gray, PhD³, Joyce Fernandes, MFA⁴, and Mary E. Finster³. (1) Children's Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children's Plaza, Box 208, Chicago, IL 60614, 773-880-4281, hbinns@northwestern.edu, (2) Public Health & Safety, Inc., 112 Lawn Place, Rockford, IL 61103, (3) Department of Civil Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3109, (4) architreasures, 2850 N. Pulaski Road, 2nd Fl., Chicago, IL 60641

Objective: To examine effectiveness of lower cost methods of reducing the potential for exposure to lead-contaminated soil in urban residential yards.

Method: Properties were randomized to 2 intervention arms and usual care (UC). 37 intervention properties and 20 UC properties completed baseline and 1-year follow-up sampling. Sampling assessed soil lead, entryway dust, lead track-in on doormats, and entryway lead paint. Inspectors determined density of covering for all potentially exposed soil areas ("1"=<10% covered through "6"=>=90% covered). Interventions were focused on enhancing density of coverings and were provided by a community group. Intervention arms differed in application of raised garden beds (RB, noRB).

Results: At baseline, properties were similar on all measures. Yard-wide soil lead average fell significantly at intervention properties compared to UC (median drop RB 409 ppm; noRB 332 ppm; UC 39 ppm; p=0.02). Density of coverings increased significantly more at intervention properties (median rise RB 0.92; noRB 0.91; UC -0.87; p=0.0012). Reductions in dust and track-in soil lead measures did not differ between groups.

Conclusions: Landscaping techniques represent a new method of reducing soil lead exposure and need further examination of longevity.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the effectiveness of a lower cost method of reducing the potential for exposure to lead-contaminated soil in urban residential yards.
• Identify potential high lead areas in urban residential yards.
• Recognize the potential for severe lead contamination of urban soil.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.