Glendale Elementary School

1204 Tompkins Drive, Madison, WI

Total Students Enrolled: Information not available at this time
TESTING PRIORITY: LOW
ABSTRACT:
The main concern for lead contamination near Glendale Elementary may be from the buildings
proximity to Stoughton Rd. (Hwy. 51). It is also possible that the soil may be contaminated from
lead paint chips from the buildings interior. However, this is unlikely because the garden is far
enough removed from the building that drip line contamination is probably not a concern. Also,
lead mitigation has already been implemented via incorporation of imported soil and compost,
and records show that the soil was tested at some point, although data from these tests was not
available. Overall, the risk of lead contamination in the Glendale Elementary School garden
appears to be low.

GARDEN CHARACTERISTICS
Garden Type: Fruit & Vegetable
Bed Type: Tilled soil
When established: Information not available
Size: Approximately 75 ft by 50 ft
Location on school grounds: The garden is located approximately 70 ft from the school building
Soil type/soil origins: Soil is a mixture of native and imported soil & compost
Mitigation used: Addition of imported soil to lower potential lead concentrations
Has soil been tested: A class of 4th and 5th graders is reported to have collaborated with the UW
Soil Lab to test the soil for pH, organic materials, and heavy metals. However, results have not
been accessible at this time.
NEARBY LAND USE
Major Roads: Stougthon Rd./Hwy. 51
Glendale Elementarys garden is approximately 870 feet from Stoughton Rd. The proximity to
Stoughton Rd. makes it likely that the area has been exposed to emissions from leaded gasoline
(and subsequent runoff and contamination concerns). However, the garden is not located in a
high-risk zone for this sort of contamination, as it is well removed from the highway.
PAST SITE USE
Land use around Glendale Elementary School was historically residential, with many of the
surrounding homes built in the early 1900s. Beyond the confines of this neighborhood, land use
was primarily agricultural, although details have been difficult to obtain thus far.

CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION

Initial Construction: The exact date of construction is unclear, but appears to be before the lead
paint ban in 1978.
Renovation: Information on renovation could not be found.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Paint: Since Glendale was likely built before lead-based house paint was banned in 1978, it is
highly likely that lead-based paint was used during the schools initial construction. However, it
is equally likely that the school has applied mitigation techniques to prevent lead exposure.
Nevertheless, paint chips containing lead may have since chipped off due to weathering. It is
unlikely that this would have contributed to soil contamination, as the garden is located beyond
the drip-line area of the building. However, there is a slight risk of soil contamination via lead
paint chips.
Other Materials: The school is made out of brick and concrete. Therefore, it is unlikely that a
significant amount of lead paint was applied to the outer walls of the school.