Minnesota

Addressing Soil Contamination through soilSHOPs in Minnesota

In 2024, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provided empowering information about lead levels in soil to communities in Anoka County and St. Paul, areas affected by industrial emissions near low-income communities and communities of color. MDH collaborated with local partners to provide essential information about soil lead content, provide lead screening for soil samples, increase access to blood lead testing, and connect families with resources for clean soil and healthy housing programs through innovative Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership (soilSHOP) events.

Residents received free lead screening for soil samples collected from their gardens or play areas at these engaging community events. Licensed assessors screened the samples using X-ray fluorescence devices, while health educators provided personalized results and shared valuable resources. In Anoka County, 57 samples were tested; 91% were below 100 ppm, the EPA's safe gardening level. In St. Paul, 22 samples were tested; 55% also fell below this threshold. Blood lead testing was also offered at both events, revealing that a small number of adults had blood lead levels on a screening test that were above the reference value and needed confirmatory testing. No children had blood lead levels above the reference value.

The success of soilSHOPs highlights the power of community engagement in addressing environmental health concerns. By providing residents with critical information about lead levels in soil in their communities and practical solutions to reduce exposure, MDH has empowered these communities to take charge of their health. The positive feedback from participants led MDH to create a dedicated webpage where any community can request a soilSHOP event—further expanding access to vital resources for safe living environments across Minnesota.