Northwestern researchers, students look for 'insidious' lead in community soil

The Austin, Lawndale and Rogers Park communities play host this week to a dozen Northwestern University students searching for poisonous lead embedded in the soil.

Chemistry department researchers at Northwestern, sponsor of the program called Undergraduate Success in Science, are applying new research methods to detect the presence of the poison.

Initial inspections show toxins have entered the neighborhoods' soil as interior and exterior house paint chipped and fell, creating what one Northwestern faculty member said is widespread environmental contamination throughout the city.

The students, all freshmen at Northwestern next fall, will work under the direction of …