Determining soil contamination patterns in a residential district near a copper smelter.

In 1979, a preliminary survey conducted in a district located near a copper smelter revealed elevated lead levels in the blood of some children and in the soil. In 1989, a more comprehensive study was undertaken to determine the blood lead contamination of the children and to determine soil contamination patterns. A method was devised for evaluating soil contamination by equally weighting each area of a predetermined grid. Three zones of contamination provided indirect evidence that suggested a contribution of diffuse emissions, compared with stack emissions, and assisted in the determination of priorities for remedial action.