Land Sample Testing 101:
What You Need to Know
Knowledge is Treasure
Valuable materials like precious metals, rare earth elements and even oil are present in urban, suburban and settled rural areas. An UNDR testing kit is the perfect place to begin your journey of discovery into what elements might be present in your land.
Keep in mind that UNDR only analyzes the composition of the specific sample you provide, so results don’t tell the full story across your property. If you don’t strike interesting results on your first try, you can test again in a different area. And if you are excited about a result, you can still test again in a different spot to see if you get similar results.
In addition to data about your land samples, your UNDR report will include suggestions for reputable resources and ways to find professionals to advise on next steps.
Contamination, Uncovered
Unfortunately, many areas are at risk for contamination with substances that are toxic to people or pets. In some cases, contaminants are a natural part of a location’s geography. In other cases, the source may be traced to long-past human activity on the land, like old structures that have broken down, or long-ago use of treated materials or fertilizers.
Some of the most common contaminants are heavy metals, like lead and arsenic, and petroleum contaminants like gasoline and motor oil. These toxins may be present with no detectable odor or visual signs.
UNDR testing is an easy, affordable first step to understanding your land’s composition. Keep in mind that levels are often uneven across a property, with some materials staying localized while others may migrate through erosion or water movement. UNDR only reports on the specific samples you provide, so if you have concerns, you may test again in another area and refer to the list of resources in your report.
