Hi all,

we just build a raised veggie patch and then it occurred to us, that the bricks that we used were recycled and might have had some lead based paint on them. Eeeek!

Obviously we do not want any lead to seep into out veggies soil. Does anybody have an idea/advise what we might do? Cover inside of raised bed with acrylic paint, render with cement, use a plastic sheet inside...

Thanks
Bettina

Hi Betty,

Your right in being concerned about the lead paint - as with cca trated timber, there are concerns about nasties leaching out of these materials into the soil and then into the plants.

Avoidance is the key - could you remove any bricks with obvious amounts of paint and replace them? If you're not too sure about if they have paint on them, I wonder if you could take one to somewhere like a second hand building materials place and ask them there opinion? Some people line raised beds that have been made with materials that may leach with plastic, but that may be a bit fiddly and not the best option... I haven't heard of anyone painting or rendering over lead paint to avoid leeching...

Good luck and let us know how you go...

Cheers,

Alison

Thanks Alison,
I found some info on the web, it does not sound so good.
Lead testing seems to cost $250 in Australia.
Have to research some more.
Bettina