Lead soil testing determines the concentration of lead in soil, generally reported in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), which is numerically equivalent to parts per million for soil.
Representative soil samples are collected from areas of concern and submitted to a laboratory for analysis.
Depending on the property, sampling may focus on children's play areas, bare soil, gardens, drip lines around older structures, or locations where historical activities may have affected the soil.
Soil testing can also be performed for environmental investigations and waste characterization, although those projects may require different sampling strategies and analytical methods than residential lead evaluations.