New Britain residents can get lawns tested for lead
The Environmental Protection Agency will hold free lead screening of soil at the New Britain Museum of American Art April 21. Residents can bring in a bag of soil from their lawn to be tested for elevated levels of lead.
If a lawn does have high lead contamination, residents can take various actions to avoid digging in the dirt – things like mulching, installing vegetative barriers and using container gardens, according to Jessica Dominguez, an EPA land revitalization coordinator.
“Sometimes the reality is you’re living in a very dense urban area,” she said. “Your particular property isn’t appropriate for in-ground agriculture, but you can still do it on your patio.”
The test requires one to two cups of soil, but it should be taken from several spots across a yard.
The event will be held from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the museum at 56 Lexington St.
How to collect a soil sample:
Step 1: Identify an area where you want to collect a soil sample.
Step 2: For a large area, collect soil from 5 to 10 random spots in that area; combine the soil in a clean container. For a small area, collect soil from three random spots and combine in a clean container. For a garden area, collect all soil from the surface down to at least 6 inches deep. For a play area, collect all soil from the surface down to at least 1 inch deep.
Step 3: Mix soil well in a clean container.
Step 4: Remove pebbles, rocks and roots. Then air dry.
Step 5: Transfer one to two cups of the mixed soil into a clean one-quart clear plastic bag.