Soil Metal Concentraiton in Converted Urban Gardens.

Several areas of Youngstown, Ohio have had dilapidated homes removed due to risk of harm to curious neighbors and the unsightliness of the structures resulting in lower property values.  Some of the now vacant lots have been acquired by groups for planting with trees, shrubs or other vegetation with the goal of beautifying the area.   Other vacated lots have been converted into community gardens.  Two Youngstown sites were obtained by the group Treez Please and small gardens were planted last year on a portion of the lots.  There is concern that there is a potential of heavy metal contamination on the site from the structures and previous land use.  A few home sources of heavy metals include lead based paints; batteries with lead, nickel and cadmium; mercury and arsenic from insecticides, fungicides and adhesives.  The areas obtained by Trees Please include 6-vacated lots at St. Patrick’s Church and 11-lots on the south side near Erie and Williamson.  Each site was sampled in a grid pattern (10-15 meter squares).  Composite samples from each grid were separated into soil 2 layers: from the surface to 6 inches deep and 6-12 inches deep.  The soil was analyzed for plant available and total metals.