Contaminated Soil Removal of Lead and Asbestos - Old Mesabi Power in Biwabik Mn
Post date: Mar 22, 2012 7:16:14 PM
AbateTek performed a Contaminated Soil Removal of Lead and Asbestos - Old Mesabi Power in Biwabik Mn
At high concentrations, lead is a potentially toxic element to humans and most other forms of life. For this reason, there is a need to be concerned about elevated lead levels in the environment, particularly in metropolitan areas. Background concentrations of lead that occur naturally in surface agricultural soils in the United States average 10 parts per million (ppm) with a range of 7 to 20 ppm1. Soils with lead levels above this range are primarily the result of lead contamination.
There are two major sources of lead contamination: 1) lead-based paint where contamination may occur when paint chips from old buildings mix with the soil; and, 2) lead from auto emissions. Studies conducted in urban areas, have shown that soil lead levels are highest around building foundations and within a few feet of busy streets2,3. Although lead in paint and gasoline is not presently used to any great extent, once lead has been deposited, it moves very little through the soil and can persist for a long time. Therefore, lead contamination of soils from these sources continues to be a concern.