What should be done if paint chips are present when collecting a soil sample?

Including paint chips in the soil sample is essential for an accurate assessment of lead exposure risk. When analyzing soil for potential lead contamination, paint chips can significantly indicate the likelihood of lead presence, especially in areas where older buildings with lead-based paints are involved.

Paint chips can contain significant amounts of lead, and if they are present, they must be analyzed alongside the soil to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contamination levels. Ignoring or excluding paint chips would lead to underestimating the risk of lead exposure, as lead from paint may contribute to the overall lead content in the surrounding environment. Accurate sampling requires the collection of all relevant materials that may impact lead exposure assessments.