My
local extension has tests for heavy metals, but it’s unclear to me how/where to get it tested for herbicides, plastics, and other gick I’d rather keep out of my food.
Soil-wise our
yard is nestled between old houses (lead paint risk) and not far from where there used to be some tanneries (chromium). Recently the park nearby was closed due to the presence of arsenic in the soil. The heavy metal test covers these. My neighbors have used commercial fertilizer and weed control products (incl roundup), and I have no idea how the yard was maintained before we moved in.
Compost-wise I am on the
fence about adding
cardboard and paper. I know about the gick that goes into paper/cardboard products. It’s unclear to me what the effect of adding it to
compost is (if any).
suggestions or scientific research on the subject appreciated.