Healthy Building Inspections

catch pollutants before they catch you

Soil Testing


Starting your edible garden and wonder what's in the soil?


Challenge: Contaminated Soil

It can be difficult to determine previous uses of an existing property and therefore tough to know what pollutants may be present in the soil. Most soil contaminants are impossible to detect without professional laboratory analysis. Our clients want healthy gardens and there are two primary drivers for soil testing: 1) determining appropriate fertilizers, and 2) testing for contaminants (herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and heavy metals).


Solution

HBI will sample and test your soil and provide a user-friendly report that takes the guesswork out of your healthy gardening venture.


Success Story

A client bought an orchard and vineyard in Sonoma County and wanted to start a small edible garden patch with her kids. She knew the land had been treated with herbicides and pesticides before she moved in. She was concerned contaminants, particularly pesticides and herbicides, in the soil might harm the children or get onto their food. HBI ran soil tests for pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides and found no cause for concern. The client now enjoys worry-free gardening with her kids and I'm told this last summer they had some of the best tomatoes ever tasted.


Soil Sampling Benefits

HBI works with you to determine which tests are relevant and add value for your specific needs. We are trained at soil sampling protocols and work only with certified labs to ensure test results are scientifically sound. We interpret lab results for you in a user-friendly report and include suggestions, if necessary, for how to proceed.


Soil Testing Services

Based on the history of the land and concerns from the client, HBI determines what pollutants are screened through soil testing. Common soil tests include:

 

Qualifications

Our qualifications prepare us to perform rigorous and professional environmental soil testing services. Alex Stadtner, Owner, is a Building Biology Environmental Consultant and holds a Masters of Science in Resource Management and Administration. We follow USDA and EPA sampling protocol and partner with professional labs for analysis.


Contact Us

Call to learn more and schedule your soil analysis.

Healthy Building Inspections is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with customers across the country. For residential inspections we primarily serve the following northern California counties:

  • Alameda (Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward, Oakland, Pleasanton)
  • Contra Costa (Antioch, Bay Point, Richmond, Martinez, Walnut Creek)
  • Marin (Mill Valley, Novato, San Rafael, Sausalito)
  • Napa (Napa, St. Helena)
  • San Francisco
  • San Mateo (Colma, Daly City, Millbrae, Redwood City, San Bruno)
  • Santa Clara (Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale)
  • Solano (Benicia, Fairfield, Vallejo)
  • Sonoma (Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol)


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