Citric Acid for Lead Remediation: A Comprehensive Guide

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 1991, called lead "the No. 1 environmental threat to the health of children in the United States." The EPA estimates that 12 million homes have lead in their yards exceeding the 400 ppm standard for play areas -- and 4.7 million homes exceed the 1,200 ppm standard for the rest of the yard. Needless to say, manufacturing plants, government and industrial areas, and firing ranges also all have lead-contaminated, health-endangering soil. Phytoremediation is the most cost-effective means of removing lead from the soil. Citric acid chelates soluble lead, converting it into a suitable form for plants to take up. Plants, in turn, will take up chelated lead, reducing lead levels in the soil.

Things You'll Need

• Citric acid
• Inexpensive plants, such as turf grasses

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Instructions

• 1

  Add citric acid to lead-contaminated soil. Citric acid is a chelating agent, which makes lead available for plant uptake.

• 2

  Plant crop species, such as turf grasses, along with fertilizers that increase plant uptake of iron.

• 3

  Allow plants to grow. Periodically apply citric acid to soil and test lead levels until they are within safe levels.