I googled Chaney lead and found this. Eight inches of compost!!
The article has more info/caveats on growing food in lead-contaminated soils.
"Dr. Rufus Chaney, along with co-workers at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, has developed a method of "deactivating" soil lead. This
bioremediation entails tilling large amounts of compost rich in both
iron and phosphorus into the soil. You need about five pounds of
compost per square foot, or an 8" depth, plus you must add limestone
or wood ashes to make the soil more alkaline. These treatments have
reduced lead bioavailability by more than 50 percent and work in soil
with lead levels up to 2,000 ppm. Granted, this bioremediation
requires a large amount of compost, but the process is a one-time
deal. In addition to deactivating the lead, it also creates a very
rich soil that, in turn, nourishes dense grass growth that helps keep
the soil in place.
"Dr. Chaney is exploring the possibility of specially formulating
composts for lead remediation. "
http://www.oldhousejournal.com/magazine/2005/nov/lead.shtml
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