SoilScanner Affordable Device Detects Lead in Urban Gardens

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Cornell Tech made SoilScanner - a device that uses radio waves to test lead in soil, making testing simpler for home gardeners.

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In NYC, 45% of tested soil samples have lead levels above 400 ppm, while EPA's safe limit is 200 ppm for homes.

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Most gardeners don't know about soil lead risks, as gardening guides usually only talk about checking pH levels.

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Current lab tests use strong chemicals and cost too much money, making it hard for communities to test their soil.

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SoilScanner works by putting soil between two antennas - one sends radio waves, the other catches them to measure lead levels.

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Tests show the device spots lead correctly 72% of the time, and catches every case of very high lead levels above 500 ppm.

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More people started growing food at home during COVID-19, making city soil safety a bigger worry.

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The team won an award and plans to make SoilScanner smaller and cheaper using phone-like parts.

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Once ready, this device could make checking soil for lead as normal as other gardening tasks.

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