Toxic Soil from Orchards

Toxic Soil from Orchards. Carcinogens are very common in orchard soils that were used in the first 60 to 70 years of the 20th century. Inially a lead and arsenic mix was appplied and once the chemical industry invented DDT and Dieldrin -- those were applied. These metals and chemicals are long lasting -- first because metals are elements and do not degrade and second the synthetic chemical half live are very long. All like to bond with organic material. Soil is not regulated unless it is from a known waste site. Orchard soil was granfathered by the agricultural lobby and is not considered a waste soil. That means that soil from orchards can be sold to you for use in you childs play area -- not one regulates this unless there is great political will to do so. A good example of political will is the Barber Orchard, NC clean up by USEPA back in the late 90s. Other wise it is let the buyer -- soil or home buyer beware.