Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on the kit you purchase, we can test for any element on the periodic table between atomic number 8 (oxygen) and 92 (uranium) in your soil sample. This includes gold, silver, platinum, rare earth elements, and heavy metals. We can also test for crude oil and petroleum contaminants like gasoline and motor oil.

Detection of any element does not indicate economic value, commercially recoverable deposits, contamination levels, regulatory compliance, or health risks.

Generally, yes. Crude oil is chemically different from motor oil, diesel, gasoline, etc., so our tests are normally able to distinguish between the two. However, this analysis relies on complex, qualitative science, so in rare cases clear differentiation may not be achievable. If this is the case for your sample, we’ll let you know in your report.

Detection of any oil or petroleum does not indicate economic value, commercially recoverable deposits, contamination status, regulatory compliance, or health risks. Consult qualified professionals for any such determinations.

Very, and we show you the math. This isn't a color-changing test strip. Your sample is prepared and run on commercial lab-grade instruments using industry-recognized analytical methods, US government-certified reference materials, and for most elements, we can pick up differences down to a few parts per million. Every result in your report comes with its own detection limit and margin of error, so you're never guessing how solid a given number is. See a sample report to get a feel for the ranges you'll see.

We do, in our own lab in Redding, California. Every soil sample for our element screen is dried, ground and sieved, and we check our instruments against certified reference soils from NIST. For heavy metals, we follow EPA Method 6200, modified for our lab instruments, and for our other elements, Annex A of ISO 18227. For petroleum, we follow ASTM D8478, modified for soil. Every reading comes with its own margin of error, and a person reviews every report before it reaches you.

We follow EPA Method 6200 for heavy metals, modified for our lab instruments, but UNDR is not an EPA-certified environmental laboratory. Our reports are for informational and educational purposes only and do not determine regulatory compliance, environmental contamination, health risks, or safety. Our testing should not be used for environmental assessments, real estate transactions, regulatory reporting, legal proceedings, or any purpose requiring certified environmental testing. See our Disclaimer for details.

No. We explain what your numbers mean in plain English and share typical ranges and tips. If your report shows deviation from average soil, we’ll suggest next steps by pointing you toward reputable resources. View a sample report here.

UNDR does not provide medical, health, safety, environmental, geological, legal, or regulatory advice or determinations. We do not assess health risks, safety, contamination levels, regulatory compliance, or land usage approvals. We provide educational context about detected elements, including typical ranges for reference only. Results apply only to your specific sample and do not characterize your property. If your report shows elements you wish to investigate further, consult qualified professionals, including environmental consultants, geologists, health professionals, and legal advisors as appropriate.

No. UNDR analyzes the composition of the specific soil sample submitted. Our testing does not determine the source, origin, distribution, or extent of any element across a property. Determining the source of elements in soil requires professional geological or environmental investigation.