Little Rock, Arkansas – Residents in Hot Springs and surrounding areas will soon have a chance to better understand what is in their soil, as the Arkansas Department of Health prepares to offer free soil testing through a new community-focused outreach effort.
The initiative, led by the Arkansas Department of Health, is being organized in partnership with the Master Gardeners of Garland County, Child Care Aware®, and National Park College. Together, these groups are bringing two upcoming soilSHOP events to the region, aimed at helping residents identify potential environmental risks in the soil around their homes, gardens, and play areas.
The first event will take place at National Park College on Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second will be held at the Garland County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 25, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both events will provide free lead screening for soil samples, along with educational resources on how to reduce exposure to harmful contaminants.
The goal of the soilSHOP program—short for Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership—is simple but important: raise awareness about environmental hazards such as lead in soil and give families practical tools to protect themselves while gardening or spending time outdoors.
At each event, residents will be able to submit up to three soil samples per person for free testing. Health professionals and partners will also be on-site to explain results and provide guidance on safe soil practices.
Officials are encouraging participants to carefully follow sampling instructions to ensure accurate results. Soil should first be collected in a clean container, with multiple sampling points depending on the size of the area being tested. For small garden beds, soil should be taken from at least three spots, while larger yards or gardens should be sampled from five to ten different locations.
Depth also matters. For garden areas, soil should be collected from the surface down to about 6 to 8 inches. For play areas or non-garden spaces, sampling should be much shallower, at around 1 to 2 inches below the surface. After collection, the soil must be thoroughly mixed, with rocks, roots, and debris removed.
Importantly, the soil should be air-dried naturally and not heated in any way. Once dry, it should be placed in a clean one-quart resealable plastic bag and then double-bagged for safety. Participants are also asked to include identifying information on a separate index card placed inside the bag, including the date, email address, ZIP code of the collection site, and the type of soil area tested, such as garden or play area.
Results from the lead screenings will not be provided in person but will instead be sent directly to participants via email, making it easier for residents to access and review their information once testing is complete.
The program is supported through collaboration with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, reflecting a broader effort to address environmental health risks at the community level.
Organizers say the events are designed not only to test soil but also to educate the public about everyday exposure risks that can often go unnoticed. Whether it is children playing outside or families growing vegetables in home gardens, officials stress that awareness is the first step toward prevention.
For additional information about the soilSHOP events or soil testing procedures, residents can contact the Arkansas Department of Health at [email protected].
