How ProPublica Tested Hundreds of Omaha Homes for Lead
ProPublica and the Flatwater Free Press tested hundreds of homes in Omaha, Nebraska, for lead contamination, finding high levels in soil throughout the city's east side. The investigation aimed to inform residents about the city's lead history and provide free soil testing.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
ProPublica and the Flatwater Free Press tested hundreds of homes in Omaha, Nebraska, for lead contamination, finding high levels in soil throughout the city's east side. The investigation aimed to inform residents about the city's lead history and provide free soil testing.
Imagine you're playing in your backyard, and you accidentally dig up some old dirt that has lead in it. That's what happened in Omaha, Nebraska, a long time ago. The city's refining industry made lead-laced dust that got into the soil and people's bodies. Now, a group of reporters and a food security nonprofit are working together to test the soil in people's yards to see if it's still contaminated. They're finding high levels of lead in some areas, which is a big problem because lead can hurt people's health. The city is starting to take action to clean up the contamination, but it's going to take a while.
Analysis
A City's Dark History of Lead Exposure
Omaha, Nebraska, has a long history of lead contamination, dating back to the 19th century when the city's refining industry produced lead-laced dust that seeped into the soil and bodies of residents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared a 27-square-mile area within the city a hazardous waste zone, known as a Superfund site, after the American Smelting and Refining Company closed in the 1990s. Despite decades of cleanup efforts, the city's east side remains contaminated with high levels of lead in the soil.
The Investigation
ProPublica and the Flatwater Free Press launched an investigation to inform residents about the city's lead history and provide free soil testing. The team, led by Leah Keinama and Chris Bowling, knocked on doors, hung up flyers, and attended community events to reach people in every neighborhood in and around the Superfund site. They also partnered with local libraries and a community-based organization to distribute do-it-yourself kits with instructions on how to collect a soil sample.
The Findings
Over the past two years, the team collected soil samples from 620 homes in and just outside of the Omaha Superfund site. The results showed high levels of lead in soil throughout the city's east side, with some samples exceeding the EPA's safe limit by as much as 10 times. The team's findings highlight the ongoing issue of lead contamination in Omaha and the need for residents to be aware of the risks and take action to protect themselves.
The Impact
The investigation has already led to changes in the way the city approaches lead contamination. The Omaha City Council has approved funding for additional soil testing and remediation efforts. The city has also established a lead registry, which includes information on properties that have been tested for lead contamination. The registry will help residents make informed decisions about their properties and provide a resource for those who want to take action to protect themselves.
Key points
- ProPublica and the Flatwater Free Press tested hundreds of homes in Omaha, Nebraska, for lead contamination, finding high levels in soil throughout the city's east side.
- The investigation aimed to inform residents about the city's lead history and provide free soil testing.
- The team collected soil samples from 620 homes in and just outside of the Omaha Superfund site, with some samples exceeding the EPA's safe limit by as much as 10 times.
- The city has established a lead registry, which includes information on properties that have been tested for lead contamination.
- The city has approved funding for additional soil testing and remediation efforts.
The city's efforts to address lead contamination in Omaha are a positive step towards protecting residents' health. The establishment of a lead registry and funding for additional soil testing and remediation efforts will help to inform residents and provide resources for those who want to take action to protect themselves.
The ongoing issue of lead contamination in Omaha poses a significant risk to residents' health, particularly for children and pregnant women. The contamination can lead to a range of health problems, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and even organ damage.
