Lead pollution in soils adjacent to homes in Tampa, Florida

Abstract

In the United States, the study of lead pollution in soil has focused on older cities throughout the industrialised northern tier of states often referred to as the rust belt. Researchers have not studied the magnitude and extent of contamination in the newly developed portions of the sunbelt region of the south. In order to assess the significance of lead pollution in soils in these areas, an analysis of the lead content in 146 soil samples collected at a one km grid throughout residential portions of Tampa, Florida was undertaken. The results reveal that lead contaminated (>500 μg g(-1)) soil is present in the older portions of the city and near expressways. A comparison of the results with data collected in an older, northern city demonstrates that the magnitude and extent of the contamination in Tampa are less than found in the larger rust belt city. However, the presence of hazardous levels of lead in soil collected in Tampa is evidence that sunbelt cities must address lead pollution in the urban environment.