Editor’s note: The US EPA staff will not be in Cleveland this Saturday for the SoilSHOP event at the Concerned Citizens Community Council organized by Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH).
According to a news release, “CLASH will continue with our plans to be at CCCC from 10AM-1PM at Concerned Citizens Community Council (13611 Kinsman Rd.) Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition is making their XRF machine available and CLASH Volunteers will try to screen soil samples.”
The organization cautions that while some members have trained on the lead testing machine they have, “not used it in practice.”
And participants won’t receive any kind of certification or report.
If you have questions about Saturday’s event, call Spencer at 216-374-6357
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will analyze soil for lead contamination on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the God’s Vision Foundation Family Fun Day held at the Stella Walsh Recreation Center, 7345 Broadway Ave.
The agency will offer soil testing again on Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Concerned Citizens Community Council, 13611 Kinsman Rd.
In January, the federal agency reduced the level of acceptable amount of lead in soil to better protect children. The EPA lowered the allowable amount from 400 parts per million to 200 parts per million. As a result, areas previously testing acceptable may now be considered to have dangerous levels of lead in their soil.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the three most widespread pollutants in urban and rural residential soils are lead, arsenic and cadmium.
Lead paint was commonly used in homes constructed before 1978, when the federal government banned its use in residential paint. Because lead is a heavy metal — it does not easily break down — it can still be found in soils today.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is no safe level of lead in a child’s bloodstream.
“Even low levels of lead in blood are associated with developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues,” according to the agency’s website.
The EPA encourages soil testing, especially in areas where children are present.
Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) will be on hand at both soil-testing events with lead-safety information.
For instructions on how to prepare a soil sample, visit the CLASH website at http://clashcle.org. Samples will be analyzed on a first come, first serve basis. Limit five samples per household.
