Where should soil samples typically be taken from during a risk assessment?

Soil samples during a lead risk assessment are typically taken from areas of bare soil. This is primarily due to the higher likelihood of lead exposure in these locations, as bare soil can accumulate contaminants from various sources, including past use of lead-based paints, leaded gasoline, industrial emissions, or even lead from deteriorated building materials nearby.

Bare soil can also represent areas where children may play and be at risk of lead exposure through direct contact or ingestion, making it a critical focus for sampling. Moreover, because bare soil is often not covered by vegetation, any lead present in that soil is more easily accessible and poses a more significant risk than soil in cultivated or heavily vegetated areas where plant roots or ground cover could mitigate exposure.

While sampling from areas around residential structures and under trees can also be important, these locations may not have the same degree of exposure risk as bare soil surfaces where contaminants can settle and accumulate without any natural barriers. Cultivated soil may involve different dynamics, such as soil disturbance through gardening or farming practices, which may also affect lead availability and contamination levels.