How To Tell If Soil Is Contaminated
A soil sample can be tested for various contaminants, including traces of lead paint, pesticides, and other chemical wastes. Some areas may be more susceptible to contamination than others. Other risks may include the presence of former industrial works or a history of heavy vehicle traffic on the site. Commercial activity may also contribute to soil contamination. Petroleum spills and other industrial wastes are also potential sources of contamination. Soil tests can pick up these contaminants, but they may not pick up all of them. When you need a Land Remediation Company, go to https://www.ashremediation.co.uk/
Soil samples should be collected from different locations and depths of a site to get a baseline measurement of contaminants. For instance, you may need to test the soil for petroleum hydrocarbons if you plan to grow food on the site. Using a mechanical sampler or a shovel, you can divide the samples into four sections. You will be able to identify which type of contaminants are present in the soil by determining its TPH level, or Total Phosphorus.
If you want to do soil contamination testing on your own, you should do your homework. Find out the history of the property and its surroundings. Talk to any previous owners of the property or check city archives to see when they redeveloped the area. Find out if it was an industrial area, landfill, or load reduction zone. Also, remember that contaminated soil may be dangerous. Soil testing is an important part of determining if your property or land is contaminated.