Tipsheet

Michelle Obama's Veggie Garden Is Poisoned!

Michelle Obama's much-touted White House garden is chock full of lead, according to a White House spokesperson. The garden had lead concentrations of 93 parts per million, with 10-50 ppm being an acceptable level. That's still far from the 300 ppm that is considered "dangerous," but a bit of an embarrassment to a project that has been seen as a major symbol for the organic food movement and sustainable food production.

Food from the garden has been consumed by the first family, visiting dignitaries, local schools children and a women's homeless shelter, according to Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent for The Guardian newspaper.