Mulch Madness volunteer day to reduce lead exposure in Near Northwest Neighborhood

SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- In an effort to reduce led contamination in the Near Northwest Neighborhood volunteers from Notre Dame Lead Innovation and the Near Northwest Neighborhood program are teaming up to lay mulch in areas most affected for Mulch Madness.

The goal of the project is to create a safer space in this neighborhood that organizers say has one the highest lead concentration levels.

The mulch is used to prevent further exposure to lead dust. The project covers six zones in the Northwest Neighborhood where volunteers will lay down mulch provided by the City of Organic Resources for about more than 50 homes.

Project organizers told ABC57 that high lead levels were found in soil they tested as a result of chipped paint falling from homes, especially along drip areas.

Cristal Sicard, Co-Director of Mulch Madness, said the older homes can be affected the most from lead in the paint and as the homes age the chipped paint falls on the ground and can turn into dust that blows around.

Sicard said this is dangerous in the summer when the ground tends to get dry. She said something has to change, especially for the kids.

“If we can limit the exposure we can limit the amount of developmental delays,” said Sicard. And developmental disabilities that they can grow up with.”

The Mulch Madness goes from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and work areas are near Lawndale and Sancome Street areas between LWW and Vassar Ave.

For more information, please visit:

https://leadinfo.nd.edu/lead-test-kits/nd-lit-test-kit-sampling-videos/ Or

Contact Prof. Marya Lieberman at [email protected]