Document bare-soil conditions near East Chicago's USS Lead Superfund area — from public space only (2026-07-18)

East Chicago's Calumet neighborhood sits on and beside the USS Lead Superfund site, where decades of smelter fallout left lead and arsenic in residential soil; the West Calumet housing complex was evacuated and demolished over it. Remediation has moved zone by zone, but bare, uncovered soil in public view remains the everyday exposure question. A careful public-vantage photo record of bare-soil patches, dust tracking, and cover conditions helps target where covering and raised-bed work should go. Standard: EPA USS Lead Superfund site documentation (Region 5) + ATSDR soil-lead exposure guidance; SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being. Proof: Public-vantage photo record of every bare-soil observation Method (EPA USS Lead Superfund site documentation (Region 5) + ATSDR soil-lead exposure guidance; SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being.): 1. Walk public sidewalks and rights-of-way only in the assigned Calumet blocks. 2. Record every visible bare-soil patch, eroding pile, or dust-tracking area with its location and size. 3. Note ground cover, fencing, and posted signage conditions. 4. Do not step onto private yards or touch, disturb, or collect any soil. 5. Photograph each observation from the sidewalk with GPS and date on and compile the record for the credentialed follow-on crews. Done when: Public-vantage photo record of every bare-soil observation

Where

Public sidewalks, Calumet neighborhood blocks near E 151st St, East Chicago, IN 46312

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

Public-vantage photo record of every bare-soil observation

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

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-17

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.