Based upon the information reviewed, lead is the primary contaminant of concern. Preschool-age children and fetuses are usually the most vulnerable segments of the population for exposure to this contaminant. Chronic exposure to low lead levels has been shown to cause subtle effects on the central nervous system which can result in deficits in intelligence, behavior, and school performance. Available evidence is not sufficient to determine whether lead-associated deficits are irreversible. Lead is especially harmful to unborn children.
Anemia is the most serious effect of lead on the hematologic system.
Exposure to lead has been associated with hypertension, renal failure, and gout. The extremely high cumulative doses of lead used in animal studies are difficult to extrapolate to low-level exposure in humans, and do not provide a sufficient basis for quantitative risk assessment. A number of studies are available relating blood lead levels in children to levels of lead in the environment. The public health significance of the lead in the soil from the ash pile depends upon the size of the contaminated area and whether young children play in the contaminated soil. Under most normal exposure scenarios, lead confined to soil from one small area would not be expected to present a public health threat unless children frequently played in that area.