The Allegheny County Conservation District is holding its biannual free soil lead screening through this Sunday with soil samples accepted at five locations.
ACCD officials said in a news release that interest in backyard gardening is surging in Allegheny County, as well as initiatives to revitalize vacant lots into community greenspace and urban gardens. Contaminants are common in urban soils and can be hazardous to health when inhaled or ingested. Soil testing is the first step to reduce the risk of exposure to heavy metals in urban soils.
All participants must pre-register for this event. ACCD will confirm registrations and provide detailed instructions on how to collect, label and drop off samples.
In 2023, ACCD analyzed 953 soil samples for lead using an X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy machine, according to the news release. Traditional laboratory testing is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor, costing an average of $30 or more for soil lead results. ACCD’s free service provided an estimated $28,590 of services to the Allegheny County community.
“ACCD’s Urban Soils Program empowers our community to safely steward urban greenspaces. Through soil screening and site visits, we provide essential knowledge and practical support for projects, cultivating healthier communities from the ground up,” ACCD Hayly Hoch, natural resources outreach educator, said in the news release.
Once participants collect and label their soil samples, they can drop them off at any location listed below during open hours through this Sunday.
- EAST END: Grow Pittsburgh Garden Resource Center, 147 Putnam St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 on Wednesday and Friday from 3-6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- SOUTH SIDE: Soil Sisters Plant Nursery, 123 Beltzhoover Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Wednesday-Friday from 5-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- WEST END: Farmer Girl Eb Shop, 1 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 on Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- NORTH SIDE: Allegheny Commons Community Garden, 300 Stockton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Wednesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- CENTRAL: Peace and Friendship Farm, 678 Somers St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219 through Sunday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Results will be sent to participants within approximately three weeks along with information to help them understand and act on results.
Questions should be directed to Hoch at hhoch@accdpa.org or 412-241-7645, ext. 8009. She can also provide more information on the testing.
The Allegheny County Conservation District is an urban conservation district that engages and leads through partnerships, innovation and implementation to conserve, promote and improve Allegheny County’s natural resources.
The link to register for the free soil lead screenings is https://ACCDSoilScreenSpring24.eventbrite.com.
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