Soil Sampling and Analysis 
After outreach workers completed their interviews and created a list of participants who agreed 
to have their yards tested for lead, the soil sample and analysis began. EMPACT LSYP found 
XRF testing to be an effective tool that gives results on the spot. This process allowed trained 
inspectors to get timely and accurate onsite readings of lead levels in soil with a hand-held, bat- 
tery-powered device. Onsite inspectors were able to get real parts per million (ppm) lead levels 
lor individual soil samples within seconds. This way, lead inspectors could discover any unusu- 
ally high lead levels right away as opposed to waiting two to four weeks for laboratory results to 
come back. And, if necessary, inspectors could adjust their testing strategy for the property 
accordingly as a whole, taking appropriate precautions. After all readings are taken, inspectors 
produced a color-coded map of a property s lead levels well before the results of confirmatory 
lab tests were available. 
Once a sizable cross-section of properties was tested, inspectors could record the results on a 
map to see if a geographical pattern emerged. If such a pattern did emerge, then this informa¬ 
tion could be made accessible to the public. 
Remedial Measures and Yard Treatments 
After a property s soil had been tested and confirmed for lead hazard, the next step was to set 
up a yard treatment schedule. The EMPACT LSYP targeted areas such as drip zones and 
removed plants and vegetables in those areas, replacing them with raised-perimeter boxes milled 
with mulch or gravel and plantings. The program also improved existing lawns by loosening 
soil, adding a seed mixture of rye, fescue, and bluegrass, topping the new seed with inch of 
topsoil. Where appropriate, the program installed new lawns on raised beds and created raised 
mulch beds with or without plantings. Parking areas needed to be graveled or asphalted. 
Children s play areas needed to be raised and covered with mulch over filter fabric weed barrier. 
Porches with open soil areas underneath had to be barricaded with lattice and trim. EMPACT 
LSYP used only ACQ pressure-treated wood, as opposed to wood treated with chemicals such 
as arsenic and chromium which would have created another soil hazard. 
Results 
The pilot project was funded in two phases, which took place in the summers of 1998 and 
1999. During these two years, the project addressed 42 residences at no cost to the homeown¬ 
ers; conducted a number of seminars on lead-safe yard work; and developed a Tool Kit for 
use by other communities, which were then incorporated into a handbook titled Lead-Safe 
Yards: Developing and Implementing a Monitoring, Assessment, and Outreach Program for 
Your Community. 
Phase 3, completed in 2001, addressed 19 homes. And, in conjunction with the EMPACT 
project, the city of Boston completed 24 homes during the same period. 
Awards and Recognition 
Because of the EMPACT LSYP s innovative approaches and far-reaching impacts, project part¬ 
ners have received several prestigious awards for their work. These include: 
• 1999 Regional Science Award. Two scientists from EPA s Office of Environmental 
Measurement and Evaluation also received EPA Bronze Medals for this work. 
EMPACT LEAD-SAFE YARD PROJECT IN BOSTON, MA 
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