The soil in Yellowstone County may contain high levels of lead, but little testing has been conducted to determine the extent of the risk. To address this issue, RiverStone Health has partnered with Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden to offer free soil testing for lead.
According to Melissa Henderson, director of health promotion at RiverStone, lead naturally occurs in soil in low amounts, but higher levels are often found in older communities built before 1978. The state provided a grant to RiverStone to focus on childhood lead poisoning prevention, as soil is a common exposure for children. Small amounts of lead can cause growth and developmental issues, while larger amounts can damage the brain.
On Saturday, individuals can have their soil tested for lead in just 5 to 10 minutes at a free event hosted by RiverStone and Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden. The state will provide an X-ray machine that can check the soil in real-time. Cynthia Jessee, who plans to start growing vegetables at the Songbird Community Garden, recognizes the importance of understanding her soil and plans to have different sections of it tested at the event. She understands that gardening is her therapy and that the top 6 inches of soil that everyone relies on must be safe for all.