What are common soil contaminants?

Soil pollution occurs when hazardous substances accumulate on land where we live and grow food. Heavy metals (including lead and arsenic) are among the most common contaminants. Residues of pesticides pose a threat to once-farmed land, while petroleum hydrocarbons contaminate industrial sites. Emerging hazards, such as PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," must be addressed.

Heavy metals pose a lasting threat. Lead concentrates in the soil of older buildings where paint chips have broken down and released into the environment. Arsenic persists in old orchards long after pesticide application. Children absorb these metals in play and suffer irreversible damage to their development.

Pesticides linger in once-agrarian soils. DDT and similar pesticides adhere to soil particles for several years. These pesticides then make their way into the food chains through root vegetables or leafy greens. Chronic exposure to pesticides is associated with reproductive disorders and some cancers.

Industrial zones harbor petroleum and solvents. Leaking underground storage tanks contaminate the surrounding earth. Machine shops and factories leave chemical signatures. These substances vaporize easily, creating inhalation hazards during excavation.

PFAS poses a developing crisis. These forever chemicals do not degrade naturally. Firefighting training areas and industrial settings have the highest concentrations of hazardous materials. They infiltrate groundwater and pose a risk to drinking water sources.

Testing identifies contamination before health impacts appear. Target high-risk areas first: near old buildings, former orchards, and industrial zones. Regular monitoring every 3-5 years catches new contamination early.

Read the full article: 5 Critical Insights into Soil Contamination Testing