In Yellowstone County, lead is a common environmental contaminant that can be found in various parts of the environment, including air, water, homes, and soil. Despite limited lead testing in the area, the risk of lead in the soil remains uncertain. To address this issue, RiverStone Health has partnered with Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden to offer free soil testing for lead.
Melissa Henderson, the director of health promotion at RiverStone, explains that lead naturally occurs in soil in small amounts but is more prevalent in communities with older homes built before 1978. Children are particularly at risk of lead exposure, which can cause growth and developmental issues. The testing will help prevent childhood lead poisoning and assess the safety of the soil where food is grown or children play.
On Saturday, an X-ray machine brought by the state will provide quick and efficient real-time soil testing at Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden. The process only takes about 5 to 10 minutes to identify any potential lead contamination. Cynthia Jessee, a member of the Songbird Community Garden, emphasizes the importance of testing the soil to ensure safety for growing vegetables and other activities. Participants can bring up to five bags of dry, debris-free soil in separate quart-sized plastic bags for testing between 9 am and noon at Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden.
The partnership between RiverStone Health and Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden aims to promote environmental health awareness by providing free soil testing for lead contamination in Yellowstone County. This event will help ensure that residents are informed about their surroundings’ safety while promoting healthy living practices like growing fresh produce without exposure to harmful chemicals like lead.
