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Methods of Residential Soil Abatement <br /> A 1987 EPA draft report, "Lead Contaminated Soil Clean-lip", describes the <br /> advantages and disadvantages of various soil abatement options in residential <br /> urban areas. This report can be found in Appendix F. <br /> The impacts of leaving lead contaminated soil on-site are uncertain. However, <br /> removal of contaminated soil is probably not economically feasible for most <br /> homeowners. The following recommendations for on-site abatement can help in <br /> reducing lead exposures in situations when a child has been identified with lead <br /> poisoning. These methods should only be considered where soil is not grossly <br /> contaminated with lead (i.e., for levels less than 1,000 ppm). <br /> Practical methods to decrease the lead concentration in surface soil include: <br /> • Planting grass or other ground cover. It is important that revegetated <br /> areas are :maintained in the future. Revegetation is not appropriate for <br /> all yards. For example, yards having large shaded areas may not <br /> receive enough sunlight to support vegetation. <br /> • Turning the soil over 12-18 inches deep. Rototilling will :nix the top <br /> layer with the deeper layer which should be less contaminated with <br /> lead. <br /> • Paving the area. The feasibility of encapsulating the soil with asphalt, <br /> cement, or similar materials depends on the sue of the area requiring <br /> abatement and aesthetic considerations. <br /> • Replacing the top laver (3-6 inches) of soil with new top soil. <br /> The methods described above are often best used in combination. For example, <br /> plant the area with ground cover after first rototilling or covering soil with <br /> uncontaminated ton soil. <br /> ( <br /> To minimize lead exposure during soil abatement the following measures are <br /> r recomr-vended: <br /> i <br /> • Reduce dust by wetting the soil and equipment <br /> • Keep nearby residents, especially children, away from the site <br /> • Require workers to eat cif-site and change their outer c'.othing before <br /> returning to their homes. <br /> Water abatement <br /> This section assumes that a hazard from lead in drinking water has been evaluated. <br /> Please refer to the water sampling section in Chapter V on methods for identifying a <br /> water lead hazard. <br /> ORAF7 :12189 Abatement �:uideiines <br /> Page . 6.I1 <br />