Soil Toxicity

I choose the topic because it is something i am knowledgeable and because the information is still fresh in my mind. The soil around our community has been infected by various toxins, one of these mainly being lead. Lead is naturally found within our soil along with other metals such as Zinc and Arsenic. Lead is measured in a unit known as parts per million. Parts per million, or ppm for short, is a conversion for milligram per  cubic meter. The normal range for lead is currently at about 15-40 parts per million according to the EPA. After a experiment was performed we realized that the homes within our community have around 115 parts per million of soil, which is above the american average. According to the EPA, once lead reaches 400 ppm then it becomes a danger to us and once it reaches 1200 ppm then the area needs to be closed off as it become a serious health hazard. Although the results were not that high, it was still  alarming. Lead has a negative impact on our bodies and the way it functions. Some effects are neurological while others affect the respiratory system. Some symptoms could include headaches, vision problems and in extreme cases it could reach death and heart attack. In order to prevent lead poisoning, various cautions can be taken such as always washing your hands when you play in soil. Also inspecting paint surfaces and hire people who have been lead certified. Also eating a well balance diet is helpful as having a healthy body can help you fight of lead better. The reasoning for the high levels of lead is due to the nearby battery company known as Exide. Exide has been producing batteries and the pollution it has cause has caused lead to spread into not only our soil but our water as well. There are currently lawsuits being place to try and shut down the company. Some organizations such as CBE, have been able to shut down one of its company but there are still many more that remain today.