lead contamination Archives - State of the Planet

notre dame across a river

Lead Fallout From Notre Dame Fire Was Likely Overlooked

New study estimates that a ton of lead dust may have been deposited in parks, homes, and schools near the cathedral.

by |July 9, 2020
univision sample collection

Journalists and Geochemists Team Up to Test for Lead in Newark’s Water

With help from local tv station Univision 41, Earth Institute scientists tested how well Newark’s lead filters are working. The results support new findings from city officials.

by |September 25, 2019
map of lead samples in cerro de pasco peru

High School Students in Peru Discover Lead Contamination Hotspots

Equipped with a field testing kit originally developed within Columbia’s Earth Institute, the “Lead-Free Kids Peru” project has tested hundreds of soil samples for the toxic metal — and dug up some startling results in the process.

by |March 29, 2019
spooning soil into a plastic bag

Bring Your Soil For Lead Testing at Open House

To find out if this harmful metal is lingering in your backyard or local park, and to learn how to protect your family, bring a few scoops of soil to the Lamont-Doherty Open House on October 13.

by |September 28, 2018

Lead Is Poisoning Children on U.S. Military Bases, Says Report

An extensive investigation by the Reuters news agency has found that many children living on U.S. military bases may be exposed to hazardous levels of lead in decaying family housing.

by |August 21, 2018
testing for lead contamination

Measuring Lead in New York City Soils

High school students teamed up with Columbia University researchers to learn about local exposure to this toxic element. Along the way, they learned about history, field work, and the scientific process.

by |March 21, 2018
soil sampling kit

High Levels of Lead Contaminate Many Backyards in Brooklyn Neighborhood

An ongoing study finds that 92 percent of private yards in Greenpoint may have unsafe levels of lead in their soil.

by |October 9, 2017

Spring 2017 Undergraduate Research Assistant Opportunities

Undergraduates from Columbia and Barnard will be able to serve as research assistants on research projects related to sustainable development and the environment with distinguished faculty and researchers at the cutting edge of this burgeoning field.

by |December 28, 2016

Mapping Hot Spots of Lead to Protect Children

A new study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization shows how hot spots of lead contamination in soil can be pinpointed in order to safeguard children against drastic health effects. Researchers led by geochemist Alexander van Geen of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, studied soil around two Peruvian mining towns, and found high lead concentrations… read more

by |December 11, 2012