In article , Charlie wrote:

On Wed, 21 May 2008 11:59:39 -0700 (PDT), TimK
wrote:

Hi all,
My local community garden had some soil delivered by the city, but
there is some concern about the potential that the soil is not safe to
grow edible plants.

Is there any reliable way to test if soil is appropriate to grow
edibles? My local extension school offers lots of nutrient and
biomass tests, but I don't see anything about testing for
contaminants.

I realize that the pool of potential contaminants in soil is
inexhaustible. However, what would people recommend as basic
precautions.

Thanks,
Tim

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 some
tests and offers services. I have no knowledge of or association with
this testing service. I am sure there are many more, perhaps your
County Extension Service can help.

Care
Charlie

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.
--

Billy
Bush Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo...eature=related