Soil testing is available to anyone in THEP’s Soil Management Area.

Three criteria are used to determine priorities for soil management: the presence of children under 12 years of age; the quality of ground cover; and lead levels in soil. The prioritization criteria is based on the U.S. Housing and Urban Development approach to identifying childhood exposure to lead in soil, with modifications to account for site-specific aspects of the community of Trail.

Children have higher potential risk for exposure to lead in soil than adults because adults ingest less soil. If ingested, children absorb lead more easily and are more vulnerable to the effects of lead (e.g., brain development) than adults. The prioritization approach reflects these tolerance levels.

Ground cover quality determines the availability of soil for ingestion.