Soil: Metals

Metals

This soil test detects harmful heavy metals such as lead, iron, and arsenic. These three pollutants were commonly used in paints and construction before 1980. This pollution is not only harmful for the outdoor environment of your home, but may also result in contaminating your drinking water.

Soil can become contaminated with these heavy metals through any of the following:

• Paint
• Wood preservatives
• Emissions - vehicle, factory, etc.
• Leaded gasoline
• Application of fertilizers
• Wastewater irrigation

Soil is essentially the "drain" for heavy metals released into our environment. The areas of most concern are found with 6-8 feet of the home. These spots have increased contamination due to the "drip" from paint and construction materials onto the ground. If your home was built before 1980, used leaded paint, or notice a discoloration of your soil you may want to look into testing.

Exposure to these contaminants can happen through any of the following:

• Digging
• Gardening
• Landscaping
• Children/pets playing in the dirt
• Dirt being brought into the home on shoes

The effects of these contaminants are much more pronounced on children, and newborns. Increased exposure can have life long effects.

Laboratory equipment will include the Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrophotometer. This instruments will detect harmful contaminants at the lowest possible detection levels.

This analysis, along with all of our soil tests, can be grouped together for a discounted rate in our Full Package NYC Part 375 analysis. Please check to see if that test is better suited for you!