University-backed research finds correlation between redline zones, lead contamination in soil

By KAYLA MURO Staff Writer

Research by Annette

Trierweiler, an assistant professor of environmental science, conducted alongside BW students since fall of 2020, found a statistically significant correlation between the redline zones of the Greater Cleveland area and dangerous lead contamination in soil.

Trierweiler led nine students working on independent projects, as well as over 20 students engaging with this project for course work. The team aimed to test if there was a correlation between redlining, which was the process of denying mortgage loans based on the perceived risk of demographic areas, and lead contamination in soil.

“I was interested in the question of whether there was an environmental legacy with the practice called redline,” Trierweiler said, “The practice occurred as a result of the New Deal era where the government would rate the quality of neighborhoods and investments, real estates and mortgages are based off of these [redlined] categories.”

Redlining categorizes areas into zones with grades of A, B, C and D to indicate which communities should be invested in. C and D zones were not invested in, furthering low economic growth. These areas were often comprised of minority communities, such as immigrants and people of color, Trierweiler said.

Lead contamination in these areas caused it to become a “food desert,” Trierweiler said.

These zones are incompatible with growing fresh produce and often have a shortage of nearby businesses selling fresh and healthy foods, which is an extreme disadvantage since many communities in these areas already suffer from poverty.

These areas also now have low housing rates, and getting the soil tested becomes a landlord issue, despite its effects on the houses current occupants.

The lead in the soil, especially surrounding the houses, is often attributed to lead paint that was used prior to the 1970s, when it was banned. Lack of investment in these older homes with lead paint prevented progress from being made.

For the research, the BW students traveled through the Greater Cleveland area going to individual properties testing the infiltration, compaction and color of the soil. Analyses of composition were conducted on location using a hydrometer, said Rowan Riendfleisch, a junior environmental science major who participated in the research.

After testing in areas such as community gardens, playgrounds and house lots, the research participants returned a letter detailing the quality of the soil, Emmalee Keep, a BW alum involved in the project, said.

“On a residential level, if there were high levels of lead detected, we would contact whoever was living there [and we would] provide a couple of suggestions [on] how to keep their kids, families and animals there is positivity in the Black community that is not shown in the media,” Brown said.

At Buzzin’ Black Friday, Tameka Rashid, vice president for student affairs, spoke about the event and Brown.

“I really applaud the effort of what Daisjah and her team have done to not only provide a space for entrepreneurship and our businesses that are here today and represented but to provide an opportunity for education and an educational space to learn,”

Rashid said in her speech.

At the event, students were able to learn about the circulation of the Black dollar and Black businesses. There were chances to win prizes and enter a raffle, including winning a BW center basket.

This will be one of many events the Brain Center will host this semester. A food drive was held in collaboration with the Ohio Athletic Conference on Feb. 24 in the Lou Higgins Rec Center. There will also be pop-up pantries throughout the rest of the semester in various dorm buildings. Additional information on these initiatives can be found on the Brain Center's Jacket Connect page.