Getting the lead out
I wrote earlier this week about the persistent rumors that the White House vegetable garden had "toxic" levels of lead caused by an application of fertilizer during the Clinton administration that was manufacturered from sewage sludge.
It seems that every day, some new blog, Web site or goofy publication reprints the rumor that the lead levels are so high that the First Lady will not allow her family to eat the produce from the garden and blah, blah, blah.
This, despite the repeated reassurance from Michelle Obama's press office that the lead level - 93 parts per million - was far below the 400 ppm that might cause some concern.
Well, as the New York Times reports, the White House has again tested the soil and found the lead levels to be about 14 ppm. Sam Kass, assistant White House chef and head gardener, was even trotted out for a photo op to help make the point.
The White House attributed the astonishingly low level to all the organic matter that was worked into the garden before it was planted.
The lead level is as low as it might be in an area where there are no cars, which pollute the soil as well as the air.
Not that any of the cabbage heads out there are going to believe it.
Photo of Sam Kass/ Associated Press
Categories: White House Vegetable Garden
Comments
All cabbage heads should be required to eat produce from the White House garden as part of the new Health Care Package.
Good one, Reggie! -- Susan
Posted by: Reggie | August 13, 2009 1:40 PM
Thanks for trying to get the truth out there -- I keep trying to squash the lead rumors from my end - but it has gone viral. Good thing to note that most ALL of DC land needs lead-testing pre-planting, so at least the attention educates some folks.
Posted by: Kathy J, Washington Gardener Mag | August 13, 2009 2:30 PM
Maybe they should plant the cabbage heads in the garden and maybe they too can reap the organic benefits and get the lead out of their thinking....seriously!
Posted by: Cindy S | August 13, 2009 3:41 PM
Makes you wonder how Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden would've held up to scrutiny from the conspiracy-seeking blogosphere.
(also makes me wonder if we should all be testing for lead along with ph)
Posted by: Molly in Towson | August 13, 2009 9:50 PM