Precautionary recommendations for elevated lead levels in Wildberg Lower Soil Protection Authority of the Oberbergischer Kreis informs

Oberbergischer Kreis. As part of soil investigations, the Lower Soil Protection Authority has identified elevated lead levels in the topsoil in certain areas of Wildberg. The Oberberg District has informed the directly affected property owners. The exceedances of the assessment values determined so far, according to the Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance (BBodSchV), necessitate further investigations in Wildberg. These are intended to provide a closer look at the contamination situation in the area. Based on the results of further investigations, an evaluation of possible necessary measures will be carried out.

Currently, there is no acute danger to residents. As a precautionary measure, the Oberberg District and the municipality of Reichshof have already recommended some simple measures in a leaflet. The aim of the recommendations is to minimize direct contact with potentially contaminated soil and thereby avoid or reduce possible health risks. For this reason, access to the green area of the local playground has also been temporarily restricted as a precaution. The precautionary recommendations and protective measures will remain in effect until the further investigations are completed and a final risk assessment is available.

Wildberg has been shaped by mining for centuries. In the Wildberg mine in the municipality of Reichshof, lead, silver, iron, and zinc ores were mined from the 12th century to the early 20th century. In mining areas with near-surface ore deposits, elevated levels of heavy metals in the soil can occur both due to past mining activities and naturally.

For more information, please visit www.obk.de/wildberg.

General information on the topic of "Soil contamination with heavy metals in home gardens" can be found at www.obk.de/bodenbelastung-hausgaerten.

Further recommendations and guidance on handling contaminated soils can be found in the LANUK leaflet: "Recommendations for measures to mitigate hazards from harmful chemical soil changes in agriculture": https://www.lanuk.nrw.de/publikationen/publikation/handlungsempfehlungen-zu-massnahmen-der-gefahrenabwehr-bei-schaedlichen-stofflichen-bodenveraenderungen-in-der-landwirtschaft.

For questions and further information, the following specialist authorities of the district administration are available to residents:

Lower Soil Protection Authority

Email 67ubb@obk.de 

Phone 02261 88-6732
 

Health Department

amt53@obk.de 

Phone 02261 88-5305