soilSHOP
In 2018, the Saikawa Lab at Emory University discovered toxic amounts of lead in Atlanta’s Westside. Lead exposure poses serious risks to human health, including child development, and can also affect the quality of food grown in contaminated soil. In partnership with Historic Westside Gardens, our research traced the source of contamination to the dumping of slag—industrial waste from smelting. As a result of our discovery, the area has been designated as a Superfund site and added to the National Priorities List making it a priority clean-up site in the country. Given the continued discovery of high soil lead levels in Atlanta, we continue to host soilSHOP to ensure that your soil is safe from lead.
Neighborhood Science soilSHOP 2025
Let Us Screen Your Soil for Lead!
We offer free soil screening to Georgia residents interested in checking their soil for harmful levels of heavy metals, such as lead. Check our calendar for the next soilSHOP event.
​​Please read more information about soilSHOP, how we screen your soil, how to collect samples of soil and the limitations of the program here.
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Why Screen Your Soil?
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A report published by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) states that about one in three children are exposed to lead—soil is a primary source of such exposure. High lead exposure in children has been associated with cognitive and behavioral issues. Lead exposure in adults can lead to fertility issues; cognitive issues, such as memory loss; and high blood pressure. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), soil above 200 ppm in a residential area should be investigated for potential remediation.
This project is made possible with funding from the EPA, in partnership with HWG, Georgia Department of Public Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units.​
How to Gather a Soil Sample:​​​​​
This project is made possible with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and in partnership with The Historic Westside Gardens, Georgia Department of Public Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units
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If you have any questions/comments, please feel free to reach out to atlsoilsafety@emory.edu.​
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Do You Live In the Westside?
If you live in this boundary in the Westside of Atlanta where the Superfund Site Investigation is ongoing, we recommend you contact Westside Lead Community Outreach for free soil testing and more.​
EPA Email: R4_Westside_Lead@epa.gov
Phone Number: (678) 662-8603