SOURCE: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Marion County, Indiana has increasingly alarming levels of lead in children. According to the Marion County Public Health Department's Mission Unleaded, children residing in Marion County are 1.5 times more likely to have elevated lead levels than children living in other parts of the country. Elevated levels of lead in the body, or lead poisoning, cause irreversible damage to the body and brain.
Consequences of lead poisoning may include:
Damage to the brain and nervous system
Slowed growth and development
Learning and behavior problems
Hearing and speech problems
This can cause:
Lower IQ
Decreased ability to pay attention
Underperformance in school
Lead poisoning is often asymptomatic in children. Lead poisoning prevention is essential in keeping our younger generations healthy and lead-free.
Our research focuses on raising awareness about lead poisoning in schools and surrounding neighborhoods, with a commitment to promoting the health of our community. Through education and hands-on efforts, we address the risks associated with lead contamination. One of our key initiatives involves collaborating with a local community garden to safely remove lead from the soil, ensuring residents have access to lead-free produce. By integrating education with practical solutions, we aim to create a safer, healthier environment for everyone, empowering the community to safeguard future generations.
Lead remediation research of local urban gardens encouraged students to promote awareness of lead poisoning among citizens. The community garden and highly lead-contaminated areas are located in underrepresented neighborhoods already fighting for environmental and food justice. The Indianapolis area (Marion County) has one of the highest blood lead levels in children. To provide food for children and promote a healthy lifestyle, the students decided to develop a lead poisoning educational program at schools within areas of the highest risk of lead contamination. Indiana recently released new data on blood lead levels in children residing in the state. As of January 2023, the threshold level is comparable to the CDC level, which is 3.5 µg/dL, reduced from 10 µg/dL.
To prevent lead poisoning in children and spread awareness, research students prepared PowerPoint presentations and pamphlets for children and adults and created a recipe book titled “Detox with Diet: Foods that Fight Lead Poisoning.” They also scripted and produced a video titled “TCTT - Key to Lead Poisoning and Prevention.” The video was accepted by the local health department. To accompany the video and utilize these materials, the students launched a lead poisoning prevention educational program at schools. Before each program, students prepared a sample kit for each child to bring back a soil sample from their yard. During the prevention program, students used an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) gun to test the soil for lead levels and sent a notification letter home to each child’s parents with suggested follow-up steps based on the results. Engaging with the local community enabled students to gain a better understanding of poverty, patience, diversity, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
Lead poisoning has been an issue for many children residing in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The lead contamination originates from the American Lead Plant and old housing. The partnership was established with a community center to address the elevated lead levels in the soul in the urban community gardens. The community center maintains a community garden to provide produce to low-income families and promote affordable healthy food. The two-acre community garden was tested to track the contamination plume. The samples were acid digested (EPA, 3050a) and analyzed by AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer). The soil samples were also tested by XRF (X-ray fluorescence) to compare the data from both analytical methods. The urban garden was split into small lots by lead concentrations (100-400ppm) with a suggested crop and hyperaccumulator rotation for lead removal. The complete removal of lead with hyperaccumulators was not limited due to the community's need to provide the produce grown in the garden to the citizens in the area. The lots with the higher concentration of lead were covered with mustard, sunflowers, and wildflowers. The lots with elevated levels were covered with tomatoes and peppers as they did not absorb the lead. The soil was measured every two weeks along with vegetables grown in the garden to ensure lead-free produce. The design of phytoremediation allowed the vegetables grown in the garden to be supplied to the community store, while still removing the lead from the soil with the highest lead levels to foster the community mission of environmental justice.
See for more information.
Fast fashion has raised concerns in recent years due to its often lax quality controls. Lead contamination in clothing, particularly in children’s apparel, can pose serious health risks. This project will investigate lead concentrations in children’s fast fashion clothing, assessing compliance with the U.S. regulation of 100 parts per million (ppm). However, continuous testing at the border is not feasible. This research aims to underscore the need for enhanced oversight and stricter testing requirements for imported apparel.
This project investigates the use of solidification and stabilization techniques with Portland cement to safely incorporate lead-contaminated soil into sidewalk construction. The goal is to minimize lead leaching and reduce exposure in urban areas where contaminated soil is prevalent, such as parks and sidewalks.
To evaluate the risk of lead leaching under different environmental conditions, three leaching tests were conducted:
1. Fast Permutation – Simulating rapid water flow through the material.
2. Slow Permutation – Replicating slower water infiltration over time.
3. Soaking – Immersing the material in water for extended periods, as might happen in areas prone to flooding or heavy rain.
In addition to the leaching tests, concrete blocks were made using the contaminated soil and soaked in water to simulate real-world sidewalk conditions.
This project investigates the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, specifically the occurrence and persistence of ibuprofen in natural waters. The project includes ibuprofen behaviors after wastewater is released into the river and the removal of ibuprofen by rhizofiltration.
The community garden's soil was tested in September 2023 to assess lead contamination. Research leaders and assistants developed a phytoremediation plan, beginning in Spring 2024, and engaged with the community to understand the garden's specific needs. Soil samples were collected and tested for lead levels to map the contamination plume. Two different X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers were used to measure identical soil samples. Data from each instrument was collected and analyzed. In addition to the XRF screenings, samples were digested with acid (EPA Method 3050a) and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Statistical methods were applied to correlate soil moisture with lead concentrations, as XRF measurements are affected by moisture in soil samples. Due to this inaccuracy, the XRF screening is not EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved for soil testing [1]. However, XRF serves as a great indicator of soil lead concentrations before pursuing AAS, as the digestion process is time-intensive. The results were shared with the public via a Google Maps site [2] and through presentations with community members.
Flanner House is a non-profit organization located in Indianapolis, IN. As part of the Flanner House Food Injustice Initiative, the Flanner House features an urban garden that provides produce for the community at a reduced cost to combat food insecurity. By partnering with Flanner House, we aim to alleviate lead contamination from community soil and produce.
If the lead concentration in your soil is over 100 ppm...*
Eliminate the source of lead in soil:
Watch to make sure your children are not eating large quantities of soil
Don't let your children play in the soil (a sandbox or grassy area is much safer)
Cover your soil to minimize soil (lead) exposure (use wood chips, mulch, stone, turf, or concrete)
Wash anything that comes in contact with soil using soap and water
Take off your shoes before you enter the house
Wet mop the floor in your house
Use raised beds with new topsoil to grow produce
Eating habits:
Eat iron and calcium-rich food (see Detox with Diet brochure)
Eliminate the source of lead in water:
Let the water run for 30 seconds first thing in the morning to flush stagnant water that accumulates lead
Use cold water to prepare food (cold water has less lead than warm)
Contact the water utility to test for lead. If the results are high, consider using bottled water or an advanced water filter.
This is especially important for any child being formula-fed.
Boiling water does not remove lead!
*Please consider testing your child for lead poisoning. Testing is always free of charge at any destination.
The TCTT video was created for educational classes to raise public awareness about lead poisoning. To reinforce the message, the group developed the acronym TCTT:
Test the soil
Cover your soil
Take off your shoes
Test your child
This serves as an easy-to-remember guide for families and communities to implement lead safety practices
Soil samples and vegetables were processed using acid digestion (EPA 3050A) and analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Calibration curves, created with standards from Sigma-Aldrich, ensured accurate measurements. This method provided reliable data on lead concentrations in both soil and produce.
Samples were tested in September 2023 to track the contamination plume and determine soil lead concentrations. The data collected informed the design of the phytoremediation strategy for the 2024 season. Testing helped identify the most affected areas and guided the selection of plants for effective lead removal. By mapping lead distribution, the team ensured that the 2024 remediation efforts would be targeted and efficient, to reduce soil lead levels to safe standards for community gardening.
The 2024 process began in April with comprehensive testing of the entire urban garden to track changes in contamination over the winter. The phytoremediation design and plant selection were based on lead concentrations identified in specific areas. Measurements of both produce and soil were taken every two weeks to monitor changes and ensure safety. Testing is ongoing and will continue until the end of the season in October 2024. This frequent monitoring assesses the effectiveness of remediation efforts and ensures that the produce remains safe for the community.
Two analytical methods were compared for measuring lead in the samples: AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) and XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence). XRF is a screening tool for lead, while AAS provides more accurate results. However, the measurements were influenced by moisture content. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), XRF becomes inaccurate when moisture levels exceed 10%. This suggests that AAS is preferable for precise lead quantification under varying moisture conditions. Moisture was measured at every sample.
Comparison of Two Analytical Methods: Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
Rylie Boezeman, Hailey Kirkland, Kamila Deavers
The community garden's soil was tested in September 2023 to assess lead contamination. Research leaders and assistants developed a phytoremediation plan, beginning in Spring 2024, and engaged with the community to understand the garden's specific needs. Soil samples were collected and tested for lead levels to map the contamination plume. Two different X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers were used to measure identical soil samples. Data from each instrument was collected and analyzed. In addition to the XRF screenings, samples were digested with acid (EPA Method 3050a) and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Statistical methods were applied to correlate soil moisture with lead concentrations, as XRF measurements are affected by moisture in soil samples. Due to this inaccuracy, the XRF screening is not EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved for soil testing [1]. However, XRF serves as a great indicator of soil lead concentrations before pursuing AAS, as the digestion process is time-intensive. The results were shared with the public via a Google Maps site [2] and through presentations with community members.
[1] EPA field guide,
[2] Flanner House, Google Maps site,
Development of Lead Poisoning Educational Classes by Environmental Research Students as Community Service
Rylie Boezeman, Hailey Kirkland, Kamila Deavers
Lead remediation research of local urban gardens encouraged students to promote awareness of lead poisoning among citizens. The community garden and highly lead-contaminated areas are located in underrepresented neighborhoods already fighting for environmental and food justice. The Indianapolis area (Marion County) has one of the highest blood lead levels in children. To provide food for children and promote a healthy lifestyle, the students decided to develop a lead poisoning educational program at schools within areas of the highest risk of lead contamination. Indiana recently released new data on blood lead levels in children residing in the state. As of January 2023, the threshold level is comparable to the CDC level, which is 3.5 µg/dL, reduced from 10 µg/dL.
To prevent lead poisoning in children and spread awareness, research students prepared PowerPoint presentations and pamphlets for children and adults and created a recipe book titled “Detox with Diet: Foods that Fight Lead Poisoning.” They also scripted and produced a video titled “TCTT - Key to Lead Poisoning and Prevention.” The video was accepted by the local health department. To accompany the video and utilize these materials, the students launched a lead poisoning prevention educational program at schools. Before each program, they prepared a sample kit for each child to bring back a soil sample from their yard. During the prevention program, students used an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) gun to test the soil for lead levels and sent a notification letter home to each child’s parents with suggested follow-up steps based on the results. Engaging with the local community enabled students to gain a better understanding of poverty, patience, diversity, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
Removal of Lead from Urban Community Garden
Hailey Kirkland, Rylie Boezeman, Kamila Deavers
Lead poisoning has been an issue for many children residing in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The lead contamination originates from the American Lead Plant and old housing. The partnership was established with a community center to address the elevated lead levels in the soul in the urban community gardens. The community center maintains a community garden to provide produce to low-income families and promote affordable healthy food. The two-acre community garden was tested to track the contamination plume. The samples were acid digested (EPA, 3050a) and analyzed by AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer). The soil samples were also tested by XRF (X-ray fluorescence) to compare the data from both analytical methods. The urban garden was split into small lots by lead concentrations (100-400ppm) with a suggested crop and hyperaccumulator rotation for lead removal. The complete removal of lead with hyperaccumulators was not limited due to the community's need to provide the produce grown in the garden to the citizens in the area. The lots with the higher concentration of lead were covered with mustard, sunflowers, and wildflowers. The lots with elevated levels were covered with tomatoes and peppers as they did not absorb the lead. The soil was measured every two weeks along with vegetables grown in the garden to ensure lead-free produce. The design of phytoremediation allowed the vegetables grown in the garden to be supplied to the community store, while still removing the lead from the soil with the highest lead levels to foster the community mission of environmental justice.
"The focus of my research is on lead contamination, remediation, and education. As a mother of a child with elevated blood lead levels at an early age, I have decided to turn my research around and investigate how to effectively remove lead from soil and water. I have also begun working with children and parents to prevent unnecessary lead poisoning in children. Lead poisoning is the number one health issue in children that can be prevented. As an advocate for integrating science into our community, I am committed to serving as a bridge between chemistry and community engagement. Under my leadership, students contribute to improving the local environment and have been gaining a deeper understanding of how their scientific knowledge can positively impact the community."
Dr. Deavers earned her Ph. D degree in Environmental Chemistry and Technology at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic, and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). She also participated in Ph.D. intensive training and fieldwork in biomonitoring, bioavailability, and microbial transformation of pollutants in sediment and approaches to stimulate their degradation at the University of Genoa, Italy. She completed a Ph.D. intensive course in Uptake and Effects of Xenobiotics in Plants at the Royal University of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Denmark, and completed a Ph.D. course studying Trends in Remediation of Soil and Sediment at the University of Wageningen, Netherlands.
