Partnering for Safety: Free Soil Testing for Lead in Yellowstone County”.

Little lead testing has been conducted in Yellowstone County, making the risk of lead in the soil uncertain. To address this issue, RiverStone Health has partnered with Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden to offer free soil testing for lead. The free soil testing event on Saturday is a quick and easy way for people to ensure that the soil they are growing food in or where their children play is safe.

The state will provide an X-ray machine that can check the soil in real-time, completing the process in about 5 to 10 minutes. Melissa Henderson, the director of health promotion at RiverStone, emphasized that the risks of lead poisoning can have long-lasting effects on individuals. Even small amounts of lead can cause growth and developmental issues in children, while larger amounts can damage the brain.

Cynthia Jessee prepares to start growing vegetables at the Songbird Community Garden and recognizes the importance of understanding the soil she’ll be working with. She plans to have different sections of the soil in the garden tested at the event on Saturday to ensure safety. Gardening is her therapy, and she recognizes the significance of the top 6 inches of soil that the entire world relies on. The testing will take place from 9 a.m. until noon at Gainan’s in the Heights, where individuals can bring up to five bags of dry, debris-free soil in separate clean, clear quart-sized plastic bags for testing.

Lead naturally occurs in soil in low amounts, with higher levels often found in communities with older homes built before 1978. RiverStone received a grant from the state health department to focus on childhood lead poisoning prevention as soil is a common exposure for children.

Even small amounts of lead can cause growth and developmental issues in children while larger amounts can damage their brain.

Gardening is Cynthia’s therapy; she recognizes that it’s not just about planting but also about ensuring that what she grows is healthy and safe for consumption or use by her family members.

RiverStone Health has partnered with Gainan’s Heights Flowers and Garden to offer free soil testing for lead as part of their efforts towards childhood lead poisoning prevention.

The free soil testing event on Saturday is an excellent opportunity for people to understand their garden’s safety and ensure that they are not putting themselves or their families at risk.

By providing an X-ray machine that checks real-time results within minutes, it helps people make informed decisions quickly.