Check the soil for lead before anyone eats from Ironbound Community Garden, Newark NJ (2026-07-07)

Ironbound Community Garden, Newark NJ sits in an older industrial neighborhood where old paint and past industry can leave lead in the dirt, and the growing beds have never been screened. Take a composite soil sample so the growers know if it's safe. Standard: EPA residential soil screening level Pb 400 ppm; SDG 3.9 Proof: 5-point composite photo + GPS + Pb reading per plot 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

Where

Ironbound Community Garden, Newark NJ

Pay

$80 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

5-point composite photo + GPS + Pb reading per plot

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2027-07-07

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. 1. Navigate to the parcel; record GPS; sketch a >=5-point sampling grid.
2. 2. Photograph each sampling point and any visible staining/fill/slag.
3. 3. Collect 0-15 cm cores from >=5 points; combine and mix in the clean bucket; subsample.
4. 4. Run XRF/test kit on the composite; record each metal in ppm.
5. 5. If petroleum is in scope, log PID readings and any odor/staining.
6. 6. Bag/label any lab subsample; complete chain-of-custody.
7. 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.