DELAWARE, Oh. – The Delaware Public Health District, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is hosting a free lead awareness workshop aimed at healthcare workers, childcare providers, and community members. The workshop will feature two informative sessions focused on minimizing lead exposure. 

Lead Awareness Workshop Details:

  • Date: Monday, September 23
  • Location: Delaware Public Health District, 470 South Sandusky Street, Delaware, Ohio

Session 1:

  • Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Title: Lead 101 for Healthcare Providers and Others
  • Description: This session will introduce participants to lead, featuring speakers from the EPA and the Pediatric Environmental Specialty Units. 

Session 2:

  • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Title: Lead Professionals Roundtable
  • Description: This session will showcase various agencies sharing their strategies and resources for combating childhood lead poisoning. Participating agencies include Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Healthy Homes Network, City of Columbus, Ohio Department of Development, Black Child Development Institute, Fair Shake Legal Services, and regional Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offices.

Registration: To attend the workshop, please register at go.delawarehealth.org/LeadWorkshop.

SoilSHOP Soil Screening Event:

  • Soil Screening: Workshop attendees and the general public are encouraged to bring soil samples to screen for any lead that may be lurking in edible gardens or outdoor play areas. EPA staff with SoilSHOP (Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership) will offer free soil screenings from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Health District. EPA staff will screen the soil on site and provide a report in 3-5 minutes using an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument and explain options to those that have lead identified in their soil.
  • How to Collect Your Soil Sample: Step 1: Identify an area of interest for your soil sample. Step 2: For a garden area, collect 5 samples, scooped to about 6″ to 8″ deep and placed in a clean container. For a play area, collect 5 samples, scooped only from the top 2″ of the soil surface and place in a separate clean container. Step 3: Mix the soil in each sample well and remove debris such as pebbles, rocks, and roots. Then let the sample dry in the air. (Do not use a flame, oven, or hairdryer to dry the soil!). Step 4: Bring 1 – 2 cups of the mixed soil into a clean one-quart Ziplock bag, labeling each bag with the source of the soil.

For more information on each event, call (740) 368-1700. 

Last Updated on August 20, 2024