How to Determine Lead in Soils

Lead contamination is possible in the fruits and vegetables that grow in our gardens. While we don't think of our gardens as containing toxins, garden soils can contain dangerous levels of lead. Lead is naturally contained in all soils, but certain pollutants can increase the lead levels. Soils may be contaminated from industrial sites, lead plumbing pipes, auto emissions or the chipping or scraping of lead-based paint from nearby structures. It is crucial to determine the amount of lead in your soil to verify your family is safe consuming those fresh summer vegetables.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Trowel
• Container

Instructions

1. Remove a trowel full of soil from the ground in six to 12 different areas from the area you wish to test for lead.

2. Place the soil samples in a bucket and mix them until they are well combined.

3. Remove a cup of the samples from the bucket and place in a clean container.

4. Send the contained sample to your local extension office or laboratory. They will determine lead levels and give you a report detailing the extracted lead level, total lead level or both in parts per million (ppm).

Tips & Warnings

• Lead does not move around in the soil and it should be easy to locate near the top of the soil.

• -If total soil lead levels are above 300 ppm, pregnant women and young children should avoid contact with the soil.

• -Lead testing can be expensive; testing should not be necessary more than every 2 to 5 years.

References

• University of Rhode Island: Lead in Garden Soils
• University of Minnesota Extension: Lead in the Home Garden