Waste foundry sands were tested to determine their leaching characteristics when used as reactive media in permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). Water leach tests and column leach tests were performed on twelve foundry sands and three reference materials such as Peerless iron, a local fill material, and torpedo sand. The latter three materials were tested to compare concentrations of heavy metals and anions found in other materials commonly placed below the groundwater table with those from the foundry sands. Results of water leach tests md total elemental analyses showed that all of the laundry sands are Category 2 materials per Section NR 538 of the Wisconsin Administrator Code. However, tests on Peerless iron, torpedo sand, and a typical fill material indicate that these materials, which are commonly placed below the groundwater table, also are Category 2 materials. Thus, using foundry sand as a PR3 medium should pose no greater risk than that imposed using conventional construction materials.