Anyone can start here · East side community gardens, Detroit, MI
Community-garden lead screen before bed expansion — Detroit east side
Urban gardens expanding onto former residential lots risk growing food in lead-contaminated soil; a composite screen before beds go in is the cheap moment to catch it. Standard: EPA residential soil lead hazard 200 ppm (2024); SDG 11.7 Proof: photo of each sample point + GPS waypoints + composite sample labels + lab submission receipt Method (EPA soil screening (composite surface sample, XRF/field kit), ~45-90 min): 1. Navigate to the parcel; record GPS; sketch a >=5-point sampling grid. 2. Photograph each sampling point and any visible staining/fill/slag. 3. Collect 0-15 cm cores from >=5 points; combine and mix in the clean bucket; subsample. 4. Run XRF/test kit on the composite; record each metal in ppm. 5. If petroleum is in scope, log PID readings and any odor/staining. 6. Bag/label any lab subsample; complete chain-of-custody. 7. Enter all analytes with units, depth, GPS, photos, and site sketch into the proof record; sign. Equipment: trowel or auger, clean bucket + mixing tool, XRF analyzer or metals test kit, PID for volatiles (if petroleum in scope), sample bags + labels, N95 dust mask, gloves + eye protection, GPS phone, camera Done when: >=5-point composite collected at 0-15 cm; Each screened metal recorded in ppm; Visible staining/fill/slag noted (or absence); GPS waypoint + point photos + grid sketch
How this work is done
A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 45–90 minutes. Method of record: EPA soil screening (composite surface sample, XRF/field kit)
Bring
- trowel or auger
- clean bucket + mixing tool
- XRF analyzer or metals test kit
- PID for volatiles (if petroleum in scope)
- sample bags + labels
- N95 dust mask
- gloves + eye protection
- GPS phone
- camera
Steps
- 1. Navigate to the parcel; record GPS; sketch a >=5-point sampling grid.
- 2. Photograph each sampling point and any visible staining/fill/slag.
- 3. Collect 0-15 cm cores from >=5 points; combine and mix in the clean bucket; subsample.
- 4. Run XRF/test kit on the composite; record each metal in ppm.
- 5. If petroleum is in scope, log PID readings and any odor/staining.
- 6. Bag/label any lab subsample; complete chain-of-custody.
- 7. Enter all analytes with units, depth, GPS, photos, and site sketch into the proof record; sign.
If it does not match the plan
- Lead > 400 ppm (residential) -> tag exceedance; advise raised beds / produce-washing / cover; recommend lab confirm.
- Arsenic > site screening level or PID indicating volatiles -> tag; recommend certified-lab confirmation before reuse.
- Suspected asbestos-containing material -> do not disturb; flag and stop.
What counts as done
- >=5-point composite collected at 0-15 cm
- Each screened metal recorded in ppm
- Visible staining/fill/slag noted (or absence)
- GPS waypoint + point photos + grid sketch
Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.
Claiming is free. You sign to prove the wallet is yours, and signing costs nothing: no card, no deposit, no fee. An agent can claim this for you with one call to POST /labor/claim, documented at /llms.txt.
Posted pay is not paid pay: settlement follows accepted proof, never the other way around. Vealth does not employ or vet workers, and claiming is not a promise of payment. See how proof and receipts work.