Entire Housing Complex Advised to Move Due to Soil Contamination

Recently, residents of an apartment complex in Indiana received a letter from their mayor advising them to relocate from their homes. Approximately 1,000 individuals lived in the housing complexes that were being asked to relocate due to high lead and arsenic levels that were found in the soil around their homes.

The affordable housing complex was built within the US Smelter and Lead Refinery Superfund site. In 2014 and 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took soil samples from front and backyards of the complex. According to media reports, the EPA’s test results in some yards found lead levels over 200 times the limit set by the agency, and arsenic levels that were over 100 times the limit. In response, officials from the EPA have gone door-to-door warning residents not to allow children to play in dirt as well as provided information on ways to reduce exposure risks.

“Neighborhoods built on or near Superfund sites are not the only places that may have high lead levels in the soil that can be a hazard for children playing outdoors and can even be tracked into people’s homes,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “In a number of urban and former industrial sites, lead can be found in elevated concentrations in the soil. This is due to the past use of lead and lead-based paints.  Lead-based paints degrade over time and settle into the surrounding soil. Lead was also used in gasoline and as auto emissions settled, it too could increase soil lead levels. Unless the soil has been remediated, the lead contamination will persist.”

Working to identify lead, arsenic and other hazardous materials in soil and other environmental samples is EMSL Analytical, Inc. They offer comprehensive analyses and all of the sampling supplies necessary. EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Hu1NEWaOISo.

To learn more about lead, arsenic or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail