Run a credentialed soil-sampling round in East Chicago's Calumet zones

Families in the Calumet neighborhood still need current, address-level answers about what is in their soil after remediation, and only proper sampling by a trained technician produces data regulators and residents can act on. This is credentialed work feeding the public record. Standard: EPA Superfund residential soil sampling protocols (USS Lead site, Region 5); SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being. Proof: Protocol-compliant sampling record with chain of custody Method (EPA Superfund residential soil sampling protocols (USS Lead site, Region 5); SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being.): 1. Hold current hazardous-site sampling training and work only with documented resident invitation and site authorization. 2. Follow the EPA residential sampling protocol for grid, depth, and compositing at each authorized yard. 3. Use full protocol-required protective equipment and decontamination steps. 4. Chain-of-custody every sample to the designated certified laboratory. 5. Photograph sampling points and custody forms with GPS and date on and file the round's record. Done when: Protocol-compliant sampling record with chain of custody

Where

Resident-invited yards, Calumet neighborhood zones, East Chicago, IN 46312

Pay

$160 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

Protocol-compliant sampling record with chain of custody

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

Level

advanced

Open until

2026-09-01

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.