(Plain Press July 2024) The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) will offer free soil tests to identify lead hazards on July 27 from 10AM-1PM at the Kentucky Garden at W. 38th and Franklin, adjoining Fairview Park in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.  Residents from Ohio City and surrounding neighborhoods are encouraged to bring soil samples from yards, gardens, recreation areas, or vacant lots to be tested on site at no cost. Testing will be done on a first come, first serve basis. Households can bring up to 5 samples. Testing takes about 5 minutes. EPA staff will include information on how to improve garden or play area safety. Results are confidential.

            Members of the Kentucky Garden and the Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) are co-sponsoring this event for the US EPA Region 5 staff. CLASH will offer free copies of lead safety information.

            Here’s how to prepare a sample for testing.

            Step 1: Identify an area of interest (garden, play area, nearby vacant lots) for your soil sample.

            Step 2: Collect Soil – For a large area, collect soil from 5-10 random spots in that area and combine in a clean container. For a small area, collect soil from 3 random spots. For a garden site, collect soil from the surface down to 6-8 inches deep. For a play area, Collect soil from the surface down to 1-2 inches deep

            Step 3: Mix soil well in clean container.

            Step 4: Remove pebbles, rocks, and roots, and let the sample dry in the air. Do not use a flame, oven or hairdryer to dry the soil!

            Step 5: Transfer 1 – 2 cups of the mixed soil into a clean one-quart Ziplock bag. Label each bag with the source of the soil: location and type of area.

            Instructions on how to prepare a sample for testing and more information on soil lead hazards can be found at the CLASH website http://clashcle.org Just click on the SoilSHOP link on the homepage.