The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will test soil for lead contamination on Saturday, August 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of God’s Vision Foundation’s Family Fun Day at the Stella Walsh Recreation Center, 7345 Broadway Ave.
The agency will again offer soil testing on Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Concerned Citizens Community Council, 13611 Kinsman Rd.
In January, the U.S. federal agency reduced the allowable lead levels in soil to better protect children. The EPA lowered the allowable level from 400 ppm to 200 ppm. As a result, soil in areas where lead levels were previously acceptable is now considered hazardous.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, lead, arsenic and cadmium are the three most common contaminants in residential soil in urban and rural areas.
Lead-based paint was commonly used in homes built before 1978, when the federal government banned its use in residential paint. Because lead is a heavy metal—it doesn’t break down easily—it can still be found in soil today.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe level of lead in children’s blood.
“Even low levels of lead in the blood have been linked to developmental delays, learning disabilities and behavioral problems,” the agency’s website states.
The EPA recommends soil testing, especially in areas where children are present.
Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) will be on site for both soil surveys and will provide lead safety information.
Instructions for preparing a soil sample can be found on the CLASH website at http://clashcle.org. Samples will be analyzed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of five samples per household.
