Interpreting Testing Results for Backyard Soils (Report Back Letter Factsheet)

Exposure to chemical contaminants in soil can have a variety of health impacts. In most cases, we are concerned about long-term health effects caused by continued exposure to soil contaminants, even at low levels. These long-term health effects may impact a fetus or child’s development or may contribute to long-term illnesses or impairments. Children and pregnant women are more sensitive to chemical exposures. During pregnancy, chemical contaminants can impact the developing fetus. Chemical contaminants are especially harmful for young children, whose brains and development can be harmed even at low exposure levels. Lead exposure, for example, is linked with reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and other serious health problems.