Relationship between soil lead and airborne lead concentrations at Springfield, Missouri, USA

Abstract

This study tests whether lead deposited to soil from automobiles during past years in a medium-sized US city (population 150000) may present a current health risk. It examines the relationship between current soil lead concentrations at nine locations within the city of Springfield, Missouri, and airborne lead levels measured at the same locations during years (1975-1981) when lead emissions from automobiles were much greater than at present. A strong, significant correlation is found between soil and airborne lead levels at eight of the sites (r=0.91, P<0.005 for soil lead vs. 1979 airborne lead), in low-traffic areas as well as in areas adjacent to heavy traffic flow. Residual lead concentrations in these soils are relatively low, even for the high-traffic sites, as expected for a medium sized city.

Department(s)

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(00)00832-9

Keywords

Air, Lead, Soil, Traffic

Publication Date

4-23-2001

Journal Title

Science of the Total Environment

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