• AA5B@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    I don’t know if it’s universal but here every kid is tested for lead. When we did that, our pediatrician warned not to grow vegetables within 10’ of the house.

    For any house in the us built before mid 1970s you most likely had lead exterior paint Which would contaminate the soil. However they weren’t concerned about it still being concentrated enough to harm people directly, only if you ate contaminated vegetables

    The lead will never go away, but it does disperse, mix in, get covered over time

      • AA5B@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        Northeast us. A big distinction is we were built out before most of the country. The land has been settled longer and you’re much more likely to find houses that have been around longer. Even when you find modern houses, they are likely on a lot previously having an older house. So, yeah, lead contamination is more likely than areas with more recent growth

        I have absolutely no idea how common lead testing is, but I also know most of the region trends blue, more likely to be aware of potential public health issues and do something about it