• Lead paint chips and dust from deteriorating lead paint on a home’s exterior
• Past use of leaded gasoline in cars, or from nearby businesses or factories that use lead

Lead in soil can be breathed in or swallowed by children when playing outside in the dirt and can be tracked into the home.

Lead can also be encountered in food grown in contaminated soil. Some fruits or vegetables can even absorb lead from the soil.

To protect your family from lead in soil, be sure to:

• Remove shoes before entering the house
• Use raised beds when planting fruits and vegetables, filling the bottom with at least 12 inches of clean soil
• Wash fruits and vegetables from your garden thoroughly before eating
• Wash hands after working or playing outside, especially before eating