Join

Would you like to be part of a team that will investigate arsenic and lead pollution in and around Kent, NY in Summer 2024?

Arsenic and lead contamination in soils can have significant health effects and myriad sources. In Kent, for example, the old mine on Ninham Mountain (also known as Pine Pond Mine, Silver Mine, and Brown’s Serpentine Mine) was the source of significant arsenic contamination in and around the state recreational area. 

A team of social science and engineering researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has developed tools to help community members detect arsenic and lead in soil. You are invited to join the team and become a “citizen scientist” for Kent (and surrounding areas).

In partnership with the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee and Putnam County Land Trust, we will be offering a free two-part workshop in July and August 2024. Each participant will collect and test two samples of soil, using simple kits with expert guidance. No previous scientific experience is needed! Results are confidential.

This is a completely free workshop, but participants must register in advance and attend both parts of the workshop.

Important Details

Part I [Date and Time TBA, 1 hour]: In mid to late July 2024, participants will attend an online seminar providing detailed instructions for collecting and preparing your soil samples.

Part II [Date, Time, and Location TBA, 4 hours, refreshments provided]: In August 2024, participants will bring their soil sample to a meeting place in Kent, NY where we will work together to test the soil, discuss the results, and consider any possible follow-up actions.

If interested, please sign up here. If you have any questions, please contact Bucky Stanton at stantn3@rpi.edu.

The funding for this project comes from the National Science Foundation.

We hope to see you there!

Our offices are located at:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Department of Science and Technology Studies

Russell Sage Laboratory

110 8th Street

Troy, NY 12180