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Environmental Health Division
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soilShop
Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership (soilSHOP) events provide community members with free lead screening of soil gathered from their gardens or outdoor play area(s). Lead is often present in soil due to past uses of lead in gasoline and paint, and from some industrial releases.
With the rise in community and urban gardening, it is important to help people and communities protect themselves from contaminants that may be found in soil, like lead.
- Lead exposure, particularly in children, can cause irreversible and life-long health effects.
- No safe blood lead level has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect children’s IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.
- Although children are more susceptible to harm from lead exposure, adults may also be affected. Long-term and/or high levels of exposure can lead to high blood pressure or kidney damage in adults.
Through soilSHOPs, MDH and community partners raise awareness, provide health education and lead screening results to help people learn if their soil is contaminated and how to reduce exposures when lead is found.
soilShop Events
Community members are encouraged to collect 1 to 3 samples of soil from their property or neighborhood. SoilSHOP event staff will test (screen) for lead using a device that rapidly measures the amount of lead in soil. Participants will receive screening results shortly after dropping off the samples, have an opportunity to talk with health and environmental partners about their results, and be offered additional information on:
- ways to reduce lead exposure while gardening;
- how to prevent lead poisoning in and around the home and neighborhood;
- how to get additional soil testing done;
- where people can have their blood tested if they are concerned about lead exposure.
“When residents of our community learned about a recent industrial lead exposure, there were lots of questions and concerns. The Minnesota Department of Health offered to partner with the City of Anoka to provide free soil and blood testing for impacted residents. They worked well with our staff and came prepared to answer a host of questions. This service provided timely and important piece of mind to our citizens.” - Erik Skogquist, Anoka City Council
"This event provided necessary public health initiatives such as resources, education, and blood lead testing to the community that is heavily affected by environmental health concerns. It brought the community together to spread awareness and knowledge about the effects of lead on our health and in our environment." - Rachel Frank, Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services
"I am honored to share insights from our recent community blood lead level assessment event, which took place in conjunction with a soil shop. We had the privilege of serving over 75 residents from diverse age groups and sociocultural backgrounds. Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn about their blood lead levels in a supportive and accessible environment. During the event, we utilized capillary tubes for blood sample collection, making the process both easy and minimally invasive. Our team analyzed the samples on-site, allowing participants to receive their results before leaving the event. The positive feedback from soil shop attendees highlights the importance of such assessments in promoting community health and I am grateful for the opportunity to provide this valuable service. Thank you for your continued support in our efforts to enhance public health in Anoka County." - Eden Yehdego, RN, PHN, Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services
How to request a soilShop
MDH supports soilShop activities by partnering with local government or public health, organizations or community groups.
Connect with MDH by phone at 651-201-4897 or by email at health.hazard@state.mn.us.
Resources
Learn more about lead and lead contaminated soil at the MDH webpages - Common Sources of Lead and Lead Contaminated Soil.
See Instructions for Collecting a Single Soil Sample (PDF) for a soilShop Event.