SoilSHOP events in Cleveland

SoilSHOP Event at Old Brooklyn April 5, 2023

On Saturday August 5th CLASH and the US EPA shared a tent at the Old Brooklyn Farmer's market where residents brought garden and play area soil in baggies to be tested for lead contamination.  

With a soundtrack of motorcycles and ambulances whizzing past, Shannon Walsh and Naomi Morgan tested over 30 samples using an XRF (X-ray fluorescent) machine. The XRF looked like a large plastic gun which they pointed at a plastic baggie of dirt for one minute and by xray measured the lead level of each sample.


One couple, whose home was pre-1900, had high levels. Another family was concerned because one of their three children had an elevated blood lead level based on earlier medical testing.


The EPA considers 400 ppm (parts per million) to be action level for lead in soil. Many of the samples tested on Saturday were in the 200 to 800 range.  Shannon from EPA counselled that even much lower levels can call for action. "There is no safe level of lead."


Listening to Shannon give advice about how to remedy the situation was instructive. Use raised beds with fresh dirt that's isolated from the contaminated dirt, using 6" of mulch to bare spots and take your shoes off before entering the house were among the recommendations. Reported by Molly Garfield.


Here's Shannon's interview with Channel 19 


SoilSHOP Event at Coit Road Farmers Market, August 12, 2023


Coit Road Farmer's Market at 15000 Woodworth Rd, near East 152nd and Noble Rd. in East Cleveland. Food Strong will sponsor a SoilSHOP event from 10AM- 2PM during their Care-A-Van program, which provides wellness resources, food and nutrition education, health screenings, giveaways, free coupons for the Market, and more. For more information contact 216.417.0111, email info@foodstrong or or visit https://www.foodstrong.org


August 19, 2023 -- The weather was great, but the turn out was a little disappointing. From 10 AM-1PM at Vel's Purple Oasis at 10821 Frank Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 only 5 residents brought soil samples to be tested. On the other hand, CLASH member Dr. Chantal Dothey brought dozens of samples that she collected from vacant lots around the city. EPA staffers Saphique Thomas and Shannon Walsh drove in from Chicago for the event, after a stop in Toledo for a community awareness event.

August 26, 2023 -- 10 AM-1PM. SoilSHOP at Concerned Citizens Community Council, 13611 Kinsman. EPA soil testing (bring samples from your home garden or playground), nutrition demonstrations, raising urban livestock, and lead safety information

Channel 5 coverage. 


Here's Ideastream's story.