Soil Testing
An important first step with any garden is to test your soil! That way you know what nutrients are present, or lacking, your soil's pH and more before you begin to plan.
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We sell Soil Test Kits in our office for $12. The lab that does the testing is Penn State University's Agricultural Analytical Services Lab. You can order one online or stop by the office to pick one up.
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If you have questions about soil testing or want to learn more, contact our office at (419) 893-1966.
Soil Contaminants
What are soil contaminants?
Soil contaminants are forms of contamination ranging from chemical, industrial, agricultural waste that can be found in natural soil. These can include solvents, pesticides, lead, and heavy metals.
Soil contaminants, and their toxic levels, include:
Soil contaminants are forms of contamination ranging from chemical, industrial, agricultural waste that can be found in natural soil. These can include solvents, pesticides, lead, and heavy metals.
Soil contaminants, and their toxic levels, include:
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals (cadmium, lead, copper, zinc)
- Toxic chemicals from human activities or natural processes
Listed below are contaminants that can be found in soils throughout the Toledo-area.
Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal commonly found in soil due to various human activities such as industrial emissions, use of lead-based paints, and leaded gasoline. It can persist in the environment for long periods and poses a significant health risk to both adults and children when ingested or inhaled.
Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element and can also enter the soil through human activities like mining and agricultural practices. Arsenic contamination can lead to severe health issues, including skin lesions, cardiovascular diseases, and an increased risk of various cancers.
Others:
Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal commonly found in soil due to various human activities such as industrial emissions, use of lead-based paints, and leaded gasoline. It can persist in the environment for long periods and poses a significant health risk to both adults and children when ingested or inhaled.
Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element and can also enter the soil through human activities like mining and agricultural practices. Arsenic contamination can lead to severe health issues, including skin lesions, cardiovascular diseases, and an increased risk of various cancers.
Others:
- Cadmium (Cd) – from batteries, industrial waste, fertilizers
- Mercury (Hg) – from mining, industrial processes
- Chromium (Cr) – from tanneries, dyes, metal plating
- Nickel (Ni) – from industrial emissions, mining
- Zinc (Zn) – from galvanized materials, industrial runoff
- Copper (Cu) – from pesticides, industrial activities
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) – from incomplete combustion (e.g., coal, gasoline)
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) – from electrical equipment, coolants
- Pesticides/Herbicides – such as DDT, atrazine, glyphosate
- Petroleum Hydrocarbons – from oil spills, fuel storage
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – from solvents, fuel, industrial waste
- Nitrates/Nitrites – from fertilizers, septic systems
- Phosphates – from fertilizers, detergents
- Ammonia – from animal waste, fertilizers
- Salts (e.g., sodium chloride) – from de-icing roads, irrigation practice
- Bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella)
- Viruses
- Parasites
- Typically, from sewage, manure, or decaying organic material.
FAQs about Soil Contaminants
Q: How do these soil contaminants affect the human body?
Lead (Pb) exposure can lead to increased blood pressure, kidney damage, and reproductive issues. Children are particularly vulnerable, as lead can harm their developing brains and nervous systems, leading to lower IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Both adults and children may experience anemia, fatigue, and digestive problems due to lead poisoning.
Arsenic (As) In adults, chronic exposure to arsenic may lead to skin lesions, respiratory issues, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Children are particularly vulnerable, as arsenic can impair their physical and cognitive development, leading to learning difficulties and lower IQ. Arsenic exposure can weaken the immune system in both adults and children, making them more susceptible to infections.
Soil contaminants can affect human health in several ways:
Direct contact with contaminated soil (especially through cuts or skin contact) can cause irritation, rashes, or infections.
Inhalation of dust from contaminated soil may lead to respiratory issues.
Ingestion of soil (common in children) or crops grown in contaminated soil can lead to long-term health issues, including:
Lead – developmental delays, learning disabilities, neurological damage (especially in children)
Arsenic – skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular issues
Cadmium – kidney damage, bone fragility
Mercury – nervous system damage
Pesticides & VOCs – endocrine disruption, liver/kidney damage, cancers
Pathogens in soil can cause infections, gastrointestinal illness, or parasitic diseases.
Q: Where do these soil contaminants come from?
It is possible to find levels of lead and arsenic naturally occurring in the soil in some places. However, in most cases, human activities have increased their amount and dispersal. See the diagram below for examples of sources of lead and arsenic.
Contaminants can come from natural sources or more commonly from human activity, including:
Lead (Pb) exposure can lead to increased blood pressure, kidney damage, and reproductive issues. Children are particularly vulnerable, as lead can harm their developing brains and nervous systems, leading to lower IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Both adults and children may experience anemia, fatigue, and digestive problems due to lead poisoning.
Arsenic (As) In adults, chronic exposure to arsenic may lead to skin lesions, respiratory issues, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Children are particularly vulnerable, as arsenic can impair their physical and cognitive development, leading to learning difficulties and lower IQ. Arsenic exposure can weaken the immune system in both adults and children, making them more susceptible to infections.
Soil contaminants can affect human health in several ways:
Direct contact with contaminated soil (especially through cuts or skin contact) can cause irritation, rashes, or infections.
Inhalation of dust from contaminated soil may lead to respiratory issues.
Ingestion of soil (common in children) or crops grown in contaminated soil can lead to long-term health issues, including:
Lead – developmental delays, learning disabilities, neurological damage (especially in children)
Arsenic – skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular issues
Cadmium – kidney damage, bone fragility
Mercury – nervous system damage
Pesticides & VOCs – endocrine disruption, liver/kidney damage, cancers
Pathogens in soil can cause infections, gastrointestinal illness, or parasitic diseases.
Q: Where do these soil contaminants come from?
It is possible to find levels of lead and arsenic naturally occurring in the soil in some places. However, in most cases, human activities have increased their amount and dispersal. See the diagram below for examples of sources of lead and arsenic.
Contaminants can come from natural sources or more commonly from human activity, including:
- Industrial pollution – manufacturing, mining, metal processing
- Agricultural use – fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides
- Urban runoff – vehicle emissions, construction sites, road salts
- Waste disposal – illegal dumping, landfills, leaking tanks
- Old building materials – paint chips, treated wood, asbestos
- Military or energy sites – leftover chemicals or radioactive materials
Q: Who is at most risk of having lead and arsenic in their soil?
- Urban areas are at most risk of having contaminants like lead and arsenic in their soil due to the following reasons:
- The use lead-based paints in homes up until the late 1970s
- Having higher traffic volume when leaded gasoline was still in use
- Closer proximity to industrial areas/factories and their emissions
- Well water (which may reflect subsurface contamination)
- Imported or fill dirt without testing it
- Former industrial sites (factories, foundries, refineries)
- Railways or highways (due to leaded gasoline or heavy metals)
Q: What do I do if my soil is contaminated by lead and/or arsenic?
Add Organic Matter: Incorporate organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, into your soil. Organic matter can help improve soil structure and enhance its ability to retain nutrients, reducing the uptake of certain contaminants by plants.
Phytoremediation: This is a technique that uses specific plants to absorb and remove contaminants from the soil. Research and select plant species known for their ability to accumulate heavy metals without becoming toxic themselves. Sunflowers, Indian mustard, and Willow trees are examples of plants that can aid in phytoremediation.
Raised Bed Gardening: Consider using raised bed gardening with clean soil, especially if your soil test results indicate high contamination levels. Raised beds allow you to control the soil quality better and minimize direct contact with potentially contaminated soil.
Vertical Gardening: Utilizing containers and trellises can further reduce contact with the ground and contaminated soil.
Rainwater for Irrigation: Collect and use rainwater for irrigation purposes instead of using potentially contaminated groundwater or surface water.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce dust and potential soil contact while also enhancing water retention and weed suppression.
Proper Hygiene: Always practice good hygiene when gardening, especially in potentially contaminated areas. Wash your hands thoroughly after gardening and before eating.
Crop Selection: Choose crops that are known to have lower uptake of certain contaminants. Root crops like carrots and potatoes tend to accumulate more contaminants, while leafy greens and fruits generally have lower levels.
Soil Replacement (Resource Intensive): In severe cases of contamination, consider completely replacing the top layer of soil with clean soil. This method can be more resource-intensive but is highly effective in reducing exposure to contaminants
Add Organic Matter: Incorporate organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, into your soil. Organic matter can help improve soil structure and enhance its ability to retain nutrients, reducing the uptake of certain contaminants by plants.
Phytoremediation: This is a technique that uses specific plants to absorb and remove contaminants from the soil. Research and select plant species known for their ability to accumulate heavy metals without becoming toxic themselves. Sunflowers, Indian mustard, and Willow trees are examples of plants that can aid in phytoremediation.
Raised Bed Gardening: Consider using raised bed gardening with clean soil, especially if your soil test results indicate high contamination levels. Raised beds allow you to control the soil quality better and minimize direct contact with potentially contaminated soil.
Vertical Gardening: Utilizing containers and trellises can further reduce contact with the ground and contaminated soil.
Rainwater for Irrigation: Collect and use rainwater for irrigation purposes instead of using potentially contaminated groundwater or surface water.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce dust and potential soil contact while also enhancing water retention and weed suppression.
Proper Hygiene: Always practice good hygiene when gardening, especially in potentially contaminated areas. Wash your hands thoroughly after gardening and before eating.
Crop Selection: Choose crops that are known to have lower uptake of certain contaminants. Root crops like carrots and potatoes tend to accumulate more contaminants, while leafy greens and fruits generally have lower levels.
Soil Replacement (Resource Intensive): In severe cases of contamination, consider completely replacing the top layer of soil with clean soil. This method can be more resource-intensive but is highly effective in reducing exposure to contaminants
