Crowd control chemicals, soil quality, and environmental justice

Following the widespread use of tear gas to by ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge in the winter of 2026, researchers with the CREATE Initiative and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Long-Term Ecological Research aimed to understand the the long-term implications of this use of crowd control agents for human and environmental health.  

Tear gas canisters, like those used by ICE during Operation Metro Surge, can release heavy metals like lead, zinc, barium, and chromium into the environment.  There is relatively little research about how these contaminants spread when tear gas is used.  One study conducted in Portland, OR found concentrations were highest within 1-2  blocks (300-600 feet) of where the tear gas went off.  Less is understood about how the contaminants from tear gas impact soils or the people who use those soils.

Soil Safety Study

In collaboration with partners at Plant-Grow-Share, the Central Neighborhood, and the Whittier Alliance, we are providing soil testing to any gardeners who believe their soil may have been exposed to tear gas.  We will provide participants with data about heavy metals in their soils and potential risks from tear gas, and the soil samples will provide key data for us to better understand the environmetnal impacts of tear gas use.  

If you have a garden in Minneapolis where you intend to grow food this year and are interested in participating in this study, follow this link to sign up for soil testing.  

For questions or concerns or to get more information about this project, contact growfood@thecentralneighborhood.com.

Best Practices for Contaminant-Safe Gardening

• Garden in raised beds—adding 1-2 feet of new soil in beds dilutes contaminants.

• Reduce exposure from soil dust and erosion by planting grass or clover or by adding thick layers of mulch around your garden.

• Add compost to increase soil organic matter.  This decreases the movement of contaminants.

• Adding lime to your soil increases the pH, making it harder for heavy metals to move into plants or water.

• Wash veggies thoroughly to remove soil dust that can contain contaminants.

Mejores prácticas para jardines después de los gases lacrimógenos

• Cultive en bancales elevados: añadir entre 30 y 60 cm (1-2 pies) de tierra a los bancales reduce la exposición a los contaminantes.

• Reduzca el polvo y la erosión del suelo plantando cubiertas vegetales, como césped o trébol, o añadiendo capas gruesas de mantillo alrededor de su jardín,

• Añada compost para aumentar la materia orgánica del suelo. Esto disminuye la absorción de contaminantes por parte de las plantas.

• Añada cal al suelo para aumentar el pH. Esto dificulta que contaminantes como el plomo pasen a las plantas o al agua.

• El polvo del suelo contaminado también puede adherirse a la superficie de los vegetales, por lo que es importante lavarlas muy bien.