One, a lead arsenate based pesticide, was used extensively to control agricultural pests in fruit orchards until the late 1950s. Direct pesticide exposure occurred with workers who mixed or applied the chemicals in the orchards.
Indirect exposure can occur with the pesticide residues found in the soil today.
The pesticide residues bind tightly to the surface soil layer, where they have remained for decades. As a result, the residues may pose a human health risk when the land changes from agriculture to other uses. For example, lead arsenate contaminated soil can be hazardous if children continually play in it. Both lead and arsenic can be toxic at high concentrations in soils. These metals can also be found naturally occurring in certain soils throughout Wisconsin.