It’s been 48 years since the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a final ban on the manufacture and sale of lead-based paint for residential, toy, and furniture use. But, lead poisoning remains a critical public health issue in Minnesota with 545 children confirmed to have elevated blood lead levels in 2021, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
That’s why state and county officials invited the public to the Lead Soil Screening and Healthy Homes Expo on May 13 in St. Paul. The event is a partnership between MDH, Frogtown Community Center, and the Ramsey County Environmental Healthy Homes Program.
“Lead poisoning can specifically affect children under 6 years old because they’re more susceptible,” said Rachelle Menanteau Peleska, Ramsey County environmental health supervisor. Menanteau Pleska said the health concerns for children are irreversible and include a lower IQ and behavioral issues. “Adults are vulnerable too and can suffer high blood pressure and kidney damage.”
Paint and dust are well-known lead concerns, but so is soil. That’s why the event in St. Paul featured a SoilSHOP (Soil Screening Health, Outreach, and Partnership). Homeowners like Nick Solberg from West St. Paul brought in soil samples from around their homes to test for lead.
Solberg is a young dad with an infant and a 3-year-old. His family moved into their 1909 St. Paul home in November. Recently, their newborn was tested for lead, and the results were concerning. “The finger prick test was a little elevated, and then we got a blood test, which was normal,” Solberg explained. “But that meant his hands touched something. So, Ramsey County came to test paint in our home, and they also encouraged me to come here.”
Solberg was able to have his soil tested on the spot, and the results were explained by Kweh Lay Paw, environmental health specialist with Ramsey County. Paw said that a level of 200 or higher was a concern. Solberg’s soil tested at 259.
“We recommend that if you are going to a garden, do a raised bed with new soil,” Lay Paw told Solberg. “For open dirt, you can grow grass or cover the area with wood chips or mulch to prevent access to the bare soil.”
Paw also suggested Solberg skip root vegetables like carrots and potatoes that need to be planted in the ground, and be sure to wash all vegetables before consuming. She also talked about making it a habit to wash his children’s hands after they play outside.
Before leaving, Solberg opted to take a blood lead test, also offered at the event. “There’s really no way of knowing if someone has lead in their system unless they get a blood test,” said Marsha Allen, lead health educator with Leadsafe MN Program. Allen said anyone with elevated levels is offered resources to help.
In addition to lead testing and education, attendees at the May 13 event were able to access experts and resources to learn about air filters, induction stoves, non-toxic cleaning supplies, as well as carbon monoxide, smoke, and radon detectors.
Testing and resources at the event were free. MDH offers similar opportunities around the state for families to learn more about lead poisoning testing and prevention, and healthy home resources. To learn more about lead testing and to get alerts about upcoming SoilSHOP events in Minnesota, go here.
If you live in Ramsey County, you can also get a free lead check of your home by contacting them here, or call 651-266-1199.
