Ban on children playing in lead-contaminated gardens

Children are being banned from playing in their gardens because of lead contamination in Lincoln.

Soil in several Lincoln University rental properties contains more than three times the acceptable lead level.

The university's property services arm, Lincworks, has circulated a notice advising of "raised levels of lead", and warns to "keep children away" from the soil.

It will replace all soil within two metres of eight affected houses in the next two weeks.

The contamination was thought to have come from lead-based paint.

The university, which plans to do further soil testing, says there is no significant public health risk.

However, angry tenants have accused the university of playing down the potential threat.

Diane Foord, who works at the university, has lived in her Springs Rd house for 16 years the longest tenant in a row of five 0.1 hectare sections. Her house was repainted 10 years ago, but she was not warned then of lead contamination.

"What effect has it had on us? We won't know apart from the inconvenience of having everything dug up."

Foord said she was told by the university's property manager not to worry about the contamination and that levels were "a little above normal".

"The way it was approached was it wasn't something to get all upset about `I'm just going to dig up half your house, but don't worry about it'," she said.

Two of her cats have died of cancer one last year and one in 2000. "I would be absolutely gutted if that was the cause."

Contamination of the eight properties was discovered late last year during investigation work for a new $130 million development by the university and Ngai Tahu Property on the university's old dairy farm.

Environment Canterbury contaminated sites team leader Brett Mongillo said lead in some samples was more than 1000 parts per million (ppm) more than triple the 300ppm acceptable for residential housing.

High lead exposure can be particularly harmful to children, who can develop neurological and developmental problems.

Foord and her daughter, Aria Grace, were shocked to learn of the contamination levels.

"I do all the gardening and I haven't had the blood test."

Grace, who is awaiting test results, said she approached a woman who was taking soil samples from their property late last year, but formal notification of contamination came only last week.

Another university house tenant, who did not want to be named, said the university's response to the problem had been inadequate.

The tenant feared for their children's health and would have them blood tested.

University vice-chancellor Professor Roger Field declined to respond to questions from The Press last night, saying he had nothing to add to a statement made with Ngai Tahu Property development manager David Schwartfeger that assured tenants the matter was being taken seriously.

Former Lincoln University soil chemist, Professor Ron McLaren, who researched heavy metal contamination in soil for about 40 years, said providing house occupants took precautions, the contamination would not be a major issue. Replacing soil was sensible but "overly cautious".

- © Fairfax NZ News