HISTORIC THRUWAYS: THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL LEAD CONCENTRATION AT WEST POINT

Prior to the creation of route 218 in 1941, route 9W served as a major thruway to take commuters from New York City to Newburgh, New York and passed directly through West Point, New York, the oldest continuously garrisoned military base in the country. During peak usage of 9W, lead was commonly found in gasoline due to the introduction of lead in gasoline during the 1920s to boost the octane levels and improve engine performance. Lead was introduced to the environment as particulate matter through exhaust from vehicles and the accompanying increased vehicular influence on the military post had the potential for a corresponding accumulation of lead pollution in the soil across the garrison. Exposure to lead has been correlated to blood lead levels, aggravated assault rates, and physiological challenges. With lead in soil accounting for over 80% of children’s exposure, the need existed to evaluate soil lead concentrations. This research investigated the relationships between age of building construction and soil lead concentrations to identify potential correlations. There were 188 soil samples analyzed using both an inductively couple plasma spectrophotometer and x-ray fluorescence from homes built between 1806 to 2018. Initial results identified both a spatial and temporal relationship regarding soil lead concentrations. Higher lead concentrations were found near the main thoroughfare through the installation for homes built prior to 1940. Visualization of similar data through such platforms as ArcGIS has the potential to provide a means to predict high soil lead concentrations in other similar historic communities.