Contaminated Soil Intake Prevention

 

 

Awareness of soil contamination is a good thing, but awareness alone is not enough. Prevention of contact with contaminated soil is equally, if not more, important. This article focuses on ways to help people avoid or lessen contact with contaminated soils. Contaminated soil can be taken into the body by simply breathing in contaminated dust. Contaminated soil can also be ingested if simple preventative measures are not taken. Children are especially vulnerable to ingesting contaminated soil. The easiest way to ensure that contaminated soil does not get ingested is by hand washing. Washing hands before meals and bedtime for children is a must. Any toys or objects that kids may put in their mouth should also be cleaned. Try to keep the amount of dust in the house to a minimum by taking off shoes before entering the home, dusting window sills and other surfaces regularly and vacuuming. Other preventative measures include limiting or avoiding outdoor activities that create dust and taking extra care when gardening. If we can all practice these few small things, we can keep ourselves and our children safe from soil contamination.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/soils.htm

Danny West