this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2025
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Asklemmy

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[โ€“] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago (3 children)

As someone who lives in an ex-industrial city (Birmingham Alabama), Iโ€™ve always been worried about air pollution and tainted soil (there are superfund sites nearby). I feel like every thing would have to be above ground and covered. That seems like a lot of work. Should I be worried?

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Your city has a cool vibe.

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Yeah you should. Look into soil testing with your local city, county, or University Extension office. You send in a little sample of dry soil and they email you the results. It's usually pretty cheap and will tell you if any soil is unsafe. My local library, for example, has sample boxes for free. Definitely a good idea for anyone in a place where lead paint could have been used, let alone other horrible stuff.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

oh, man I was there for the first time ever just two weeks ago. I wanted to stop at a boutique liquor store I had found online. I was shocked to see the number of abandoned/dilapidated structures. The liquor store actually happened to be located in a newish out-building on the same lot of one of these abandoned mansions. The store was very nice as was the staff, but I was left with a lot of questions that were all pretty-much answered when I read online that Birmingham is also known as The Pittsburgh of the South.