How to test safety of soil

Question

Hi all,My local community garden had some soil delivered by the city, butthere is some concern about the potential that the soil is not safe togrow edible plants.Is there any reliable way to test if soil is appropriate to growedibles?  My local extension school offers lots of nutrient andbiomass tests, but I don't see anything about testing forcontaminants.I realize that the pool of potential contaminants in soil isinexhaustible.  However, what would people recommend as basicprecautions.Thanks,Tim

Charlie · Accepted Answer

Hi Tim,At a minimun, I would test for heavy metals and organophosphates.Here is a site I found, not looked at closely, that describes sometests and offers services.  I have no knowledge of or association withthis testing service. I am sure there are many more, perhaps yourCounty Extension Service can help.CareCharlie

Billy · Answer

Check heavy metals for sure. Seems that we were just talking about something that pulled heavy metals (arsenic in particular) out of the soil and then the problem became what to do with their leaves.!?? (Clay lined landfill, if I remember correctly) The organophosphates, if present, would break down fairly quickly and don't represent a long term problem, unless you drink it. The it definitely becomes a long term problem. Drinking organophosphates has become a major cause of death to indebted Indian farmers who follow the Monsanto approach to farming.

David Hare-Scott · Answer

I am not sure that shotgun testing is going to help much or be cost effective. Does this soil have no provenance? Can you follow it back to its origin and determine the risk of contaimination? Even if you identify that there is some risk it will focus your testing down to something practical and affordable.

David

How to test safety of soil

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