Should I test my soil for lead after a wildfire like the Eaton Fire?

Yes, experts encourage testing soil after wildfires as they are known to exacerbate existing contaminants like lead.

How much lead is considered safe in soil according to the EPA?

The EPA states households can have up to 200 ppm of lead in their soil before remediation is necessary, though California's threshold is lower at 80 ppm.

Where can I get my soil tested for lead contamination?

You can use DIY mail-in kits or seek assistance from university extensions and local government initiatives offering free soil testing.

Home / Environment / Wildfire Ash Hides Lead: DIY Soil Testing Tips

Wildfire Ash Hides Lead: DIY Soil Testing Tips

2 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Wildfires exacerbate existing soil contaminants like lead.
Government testing for lead in fire-impacted areas was skipped.
DIY kits can help assess lead risk, but expert help is advised.

Wildfire Ash Hides Lead: DIY Soil Testing Tips

Wildfire aftermath poses risks, as fires can exacerbate existing contaminants like lead in soil, particularly in urban environments. A controversial decision by federal and state governments not to test lead in certain fire-impacted properties has led individuals to conduct their own soil assessments.

While commercially available kits offer a way to test for lead and nutrients, their accuracy and ease of use can be questionable, with some kits providing unclear results. For nutrient testing, kits evaluating NPK levels and pH are most beneficial for gardeners.

Experts, including those impacted by fires, advise a "judgmental sampling" approach, focusing on areas with potential high-risk items or regularly used spaces. For definitive results, combining DIY efforts with guidance from university extensions or specialized testing initiatives is recommended.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.