Bare Soil - Play Area Criteria value?

Bare Soil - Play Area Criteria value?

• A. 1200 ppm
• B. 5000 ppm
• C. 0 ppm
• D. 400 ppm

Answer: (D)

Children are most at risk from soil lead when they play in bare areas and can put soil in their mouths. Because exposure pathways are strongest in play areas, the soil lead criterion is kept low to protect kids. That’s why 400 ppm is used as the Bare Soil – Play Area value: if soil in a play area is at or above 400 ppm, it’s treated as a lead hazard and actions are needed to reduce exposure, such as replacing soil, adding clean soil or mulch, or otherwise restricting access until remediation is done. The other numbers don’t fit this scenario as the protective standard for play areas: 1200 ppm is a higher, non-play-area threshold; 0 ppm is an idealized, unattainable level; and 5000 ppm would miss hazards in typical play-area conditions.

Children are most at risk from soil lead when they play in bare areas and can put soil in their mouths. Because exposure pathways are strongest in play areas, the soil lead criterion is kept low to protect kids. That’s why 400 ppm is used as the Bare Soil – Play Area value: if soil in a play area is at or above 400 ppm, it’s treated as a lead hazard and actions are needed to reduce exposure, such as replacing soil, adding clean soil or mulch, or otherwise restricting access until remediation is done.

The other numbers don’t fit this scenario as the protective standard for play areas: 1200 ppm is a higher, non-play-area threshold; 0 ppm is an idealized, unattainable level; and 5000 ppm would miss hazards in typical play-area conditions.