Soil heavy metal test kit
Lab analysis or test strips that detect lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other toxic metals in soil before you harvest urban-foraged food. Essential safety step for areas near old buildings, roads, or former industrial sites.
What to look for
- 1Tests for lead, cadmium, and arsenic at minimum
- 2Clear instructions on soil sample collection depth and amount
- 3Results showing actual concentration levels, not just pass/fail
- 4Lab-based mail-in tests are more accurate than instant strips
Skip
- pH-only test kits marketed as 'complete' soil tests
- Instant strips claiming professional accuracy
- Tests without specific detection thresholds listed
Used for: vetting new urban foraging sites · assessing soil near pre-1978 structures · checking areas near busy roads or parking lots · verifying regular harvesting locations annually
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