Lead in Soil
In infants and children, lead can cause delays in physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, kidney problems as well as high blood pressure are possible.
Lead in soil is an EPA regulated parameter. The action limit set by the EPA is 400 ppm for high-contact play areas.
Qualified lead assessors from local health departments, IDOH Lead & Healthy Homes Division or IDEM
No cost for investigations by local health departments, IDEM or other state agencies and institutions.
Samples are only accepted from divisions of the Indiana Department of Health, state government agencies or local health departments.
Questions: Contact Quincy Bell, Qbell@health.IN.gov.
Digger and a re-sealable plastic sample container. Please double bag each sample.
- Samples are usually taken within three feet (3') of the house (near the drip line) or within three feet (3') of the road. Other areas requiring sampling include exposed soil areas where children or their pets play. No paint chips or large pieces of debris should be included in the soil sample.
- A sample may be a composite sample of between two and four subsamples collected in the same area.
- Push the digger into the soil to a depth of approximately two inches.
- Place the sample into a clean plastic bag. The total sample size should be about 100-200 grams (approximately 7-14 tablespoons).
- Label the plastic bag with a sample identification number, date, address, name, and location.
- Wipe down or wash off equipment before collecting each sample. This is necessary to avoid cross contamination.
- Complete an IDOH Lead in Soil Sample Submission Form for each soil sample collected. Record any deviations from this sampling procedure.
Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring/ship to:
IDOH Laboratory
Attn: Environmental Lead
550 W. 16th St. - Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Refrigeration is not required. Samples should be received within 14 days of collection.
Routine samples will be reported within 10 business days from receipt.
