Example Site 2:
Philadelphia, PA
Testing plants and soils- A couple of
sites in Philadelphia with very high Pb
concentrations (> 1000 mg/kg)
Partnering with EPA region 3 and the
Greensgrow Philadelphia

 Pb concentration (mg/kg-DW)

Philadelphia- high Pb soil
Example site 2
150

Carrot (24-60)

125

Mustard (~ 2)

100

Beet (18-38)

75

Lettuce (2-4)

50

PBET- Pb % (7-14)

25
0
1500

PBET-Pb (100-155)
1700
1900
2100
Soil total Pb (mg/kg)

Soil pH = 7.5 (soil:water)

 Philadelphia- 2011 data
Sample
Location
L1
L2
L3
M1
M2
M3
Average

Lead concentrations in soils
(mg/kg)
1627
1906
2117
1618
1858
1757
1814

L control
M control

3.59
2.66

 Root crops- 2011
Lead concentration in roots
(mg/kg of dry matter)

70.0
60.0

FAO/WHO safe limit for root crops = 1.5
mg/kg

50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Carrot 1Carrot 2Carrot 3

Beet 1 Beet 2 Beet 3
(peeled) (Peeled) (Peeled)

Radish Radish Radish Radish
1
2
3
contol

 Pb concentration (mg/kg of dry matter)

Philadelphia test plots- 2012
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0

FAO/WHO safe limit: 5.0 mg/kg-DW

b
a

Compost

No compost

Figure 3. Lead concentrations in beet leaves (test plots in 2012)

 Pb concentration (mg/kg of dry matter)

14

18

12

16

Lab

14

Peel

10

12

8

10
8

6

6
4

FAO/WHO safe
limit: 1.5 mg/kg

2

FAO/WHO
safe limit: 1.5
mg/kg

4
2
0

0
Compost

No compost

Figure 4. Lead concentrations in beet roots (test
plots in 2012)

Compost

No compost

Figure 5. Lead concentrations in carrots (test plots
in 2012)