The most common soil contaminants in US homes are lead, arsenic, and petroleum. Old pesticides also show up often. Lead tops the list in older areas. Homes built before 1978 show elevated lead near walls where paint chips fell for years.
I tested a former orchard last year that showed high arsenic across the lot. The old owners had used lead arsenate sprays for their fruit trees. These chemicals stick around for generations after you stop using them. The new owners were shocked to find this hidden problem in their yard.
Different soil pollution types appear based on how your land was used in the past. Old homes have lead from paint. Former farms have pesticides from crop sprays. Properties near gas stations have petroleum from leaks. Your property history guides what to test for first.
Heavy metals in soil pose serious health risks over time. Lead causes learning problems in children even at low levels. Arsenic links to cancer with long exposure. Cadmium damages your kidneys over time. Mercury harms the nervous system. These metals do not break down on their own.
The EPA sets residential soil contaminants limits to keep you safe. Lead hits action level at 400 ppm for play areas. Cadmium triggers review at 70 ppm in yard soil. Arsenic has a low limit of just 0.39 ppm due to cancer risk. Mercury sits at 1 ppm for home yards.
Petroleum forms another major group of soil pollution types that you may find. Gas and oil leak from old tanks and drip from parked cars over time. Heating oil spills spread to basements and the soil around them. These compounds smell bad and can move into your groundwater.
Old pesticide residues linger from past lawn and garden treatments on your property. DDT was banned long ago but still shows up in soil tests today. Chlordane from old termite work persists around foundations. Former farms carry the highest pesticide risk of all.
Focus your testing on the most likely pollutants for your property type. Older homes need lead testing near foundations and garden beds. Former farm land needs arsenic and pesticide panels. Properties near gas stations need petroleum checks. Match your test panel to your property history for the best results.
I tell clients to think about their land's past use before choosing tests. A 1940s home in an old city area needs lead focus. A rural property that was once farmland needs pesticide screening. Your property history guides which tests matter most for your specific situation and budget.
Read the full article: 5 Critical Insights into Soil Contamination Testing
