Small amounts of lead are naturally present in the soil and in vegetables, and should not cause alarm. However, vegetables can absorb excess lead from highly contaminated soils. Sources of lead include: batteries, paint, pipes, gasoline, pesticides, some types of colored newspaper, municipal sludge, etc. Planting a vegetable garden where a house once stood or trash was dumped could pose a hazard. If high levels of lead are suspected or found:

• Wash vegetables thoroughly; discard older, outer leaves which absorb more lead; peel root crops (lead accumulates in the peeling).
  
• Maintain a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.0 and provide adequate phosphorus fertilization to reduce lead uptake from the soil.
  
• Plant fruiting vegetables (tomatoes, peppers) instead of leafy or roots crops which take up more lead.
  
• Organic matter added to the soil helps tie up lead and makes it less available to plants.
  
• Mulch the soil to reduce blowing dust and to increase water retention. Lead concentrates in dust.
  

Consumer Horticulture | Quick Reference

© Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturalist
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