Outreach

Atlanta Science Festival

We will postpone our Atlanta Science Festival event that was scheduled on March 14th, 2020 at Historic Westside Gardens @ Boone at 1211 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW, due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We believe that it is our best interest to take proactive measures, like we are pushing for the lead testing, and to mitigate and slow the spread of COVID-19. Check back on this site to register for the future date and bring your soil in a ziploc bag for free heavy metal testing! You will have a chance to speak with scientists and veteran gardeners about how to start your own garden, potential risks from soil contamination, and simple ways to clean your soil.

Volunteer Training

We will have a training session for those interested in helping out in the West Atlanta community to make sure that everyone is aware of the EPA investigation and to encourage them to test their soil and to have the family tested for their exposure. Please register here if you are interested.

Our first training took place on March 4 from 6:30pm in Beulah Baptist Church at 170 Griffin St NW, Atlanta, GA 30314.

Soil Testing 

There are local offices available for residential soil testing:

University of Georgia Extension offices are located across the state. Soil is tested for a fee. Fulton County office numbers are:  North Fulton 404-613-7670 and South Fulton 404-762-4077. To find your local office please click here.

Georgia Department of Public Health is available to test lead levels in your bloodstream and will test your soil and home if needed. GPH will also assist with finding lead level assessors in your area. For more information on having your children’s blood lead levels tested by the GPH click here. For information on how you can have your soil tested click here.

Past Events

Atlanta Science Festival  

Our group hosted an event for the Atlanta Science Festival on March 9th, 2019 at Urban Fresh. Event participants learned about soil and urban agriculture in Atlanta! Farmers and scientists spoke about how to start your own garden, potential risks from soil contamination, and simple ways to clean your soil. Participants brought their own soil in a Ziploc bag to be tested for heavy metals!

We also hosted a booth at the Atlanta Science Festival Expo on March 23rd, 2019 from 11 AM-4 PM at Piedmont Park.

  • The study team, including research partners from Emory and Historic Westside Gardens: (back row, l-r) Chris Theal, Antoinette Williams, Arthur Hines, (2nd row, l-r) Rosario Hernandez, Taranji Alvarado, PI Dr. Eri Saikawa, Gil Frank, (front row, l-r) Wenlu Ye, Co-I Sam Peters, and Lauren Balotin.
  • The Emory study team, Community Engagement Core, and Stakeholder Advisory Board members from the CDC, Georgia Department of Public Health, EPA, and ATSDR at the Atlanta Science Festival event