How to Test for Lead in the Soil

Professional Soil Testing

• 1

  Choose a laboratory to analyze your soil sample. The laboratory should hold a current certification for lead analysis using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods, such as SW-846 Method 7421. If you do not know a laboratory, your state environmental protection department can provide a list. Ask the laboratory to send you the appropriate sample bottles.

• 2

  Collect several soil samples in the area of interest. If you are concerned with lead impact to the surface soils of your entire property, collect soil samples from the top 6 inches of each area of your lawn using a stainless-steel spoon. Remove surface grass and gravel before you collect the soil. If you are interested in the potential lead concentrations in your garden, you can collect soil samples both at the land surface and at the depth of most plant roots using a hand auger. Place all of the soil in a stainless-steel bowl and mix. Put the soil mixture in the glass jars so the jar is completely full. Place the lid tightly on the jar.

• 3

  Complete the information on the chain of custody form provided by the laboratory. This information typically includes your name, address, sample number, sample location, date and time of sample collection along with the requested analyses.

• 4

  Ship the sample jar and completed chain of custody form to the laboratory immediately after you collect the samples in a cooler with ice.

• 5

  Review the results after the laboratory completes the analysis. If the laboratory identifies lead at a concentration above the method detection limit, compare the results to regional screening levels established by the EPA and to state standards, if they are different.

Do It Yourself Soil Testing

• 6

  Acquire a lead soil testing kit. These are available at home and garden shops, hardware stores or on line.

• 7

  Add suspected soil into a container and pour in a chemical reagent solution that is supplied with the kit. Mix them together for approximately 30-seconds.

• 8

  Place a test strip into the mixture and allow the chemical reaction to take place. This may take a few minutes, but once the reaction occurs, the test strip will turn a specific color that will show either the presence or the absence of lead in the soil.