Soil lead contamination is a serious problem in Pittsburgh. If you are concerned your soil may be contaminated, contact the organizations below for information and free soil screening:
- The Conservation District’s first free soil screening event for the season will be held from noon to 3 p.m. March 18 in partnership with Grow Pittsburgh at the Garden Resource Center, 147 Putnam St., Larimer. People can bring home soil samples for testing. It’s recommended that no less than one composite (multiple samples mixed from the same area) test be done for every 20-by-20-foot space. To contact Jonathan Burgess at the Allegheny County Conservation District, call 412-291-8017 or email jburgess@accdpa.org. For additional information visit: http://www.growpittsburgh.
org/events/list/#
- The Penn State Extension master gardener program is a free resource for all gardeners, and experts there can address lead hazards. The agency has a soil testing lab and sells soil test kits. In winter months, phone and email messages are returned on a weekly basis: 412-482-3476 or 412-482-3477 or alleghenymg@psu.edu. Visitors with questions are welcome at Penn State Center Pittsburgh, 1435 Bedford Ave., Suite A, Hill District.
- UMass at Amherst soil testing information: http://ag.umass.edu/
services/soil-plant-nutrient- testing-laboratory/lab- services.
For more information and instructions on how to collect a soil sample, download the flyer below.
Download