Who should I contact for testing of soil and air quality around our house?

Question

Recently we have lost our two dogs to cancer and a few years earlier our cat, also to cancer. My wife and I are very concerned that this could all be related to the environment in which we live. Is our soil contaminated? Is the pollution from the Expressway near us having an effect, etc ,etc. (we live in Sydney, Australia)

So my question (s) is, who do I see about getting tests of soil and air quality? Is it expensive, Is it worth it?

Answer 1

First, it is expensive.  These are very specialized tests.  Their worth is really up to your piece of mind.  You can find consultants in your area by searching at the reference.

Answer 2

Star with pg&e, they wil have all the answers...

Answer 3

That sort of depends on what you think might be the true issue.

Start wtih looking at the local soil reports fro your area and see if there is something that is naturally occuring-

The local city or regional government or university should have a soil science facility that has some of the information you are looking for.

They will also liklely be able to tell you who does testing locally.

Take a look at the records of what the land in your area was used for in the past. I do not know how the laws are in Oz, but in teh US, companies cna be made to clean up their old debris and waste if it is porved that they left contamination in places.

The air is a different baliwick altogether.

You will probably have to contact the local agency responsible for the air quality.

Again, not being familiar with the rules in your area, is your gas leaded or unleaded, and do you have rules about the brake parts in cars not being able to contain Asbestos?

These are the two main finds that I know of for pollution from autos and freewyas- lead emissions from the gas exhaust, and the asbestos bits from the brakes.  (This is not to mention the other exhaust issues, but I am trying to be specific to what could settle on your property and affect your pets)

Have you checked with teh neighbors to see if anyone else is having a problem?

You could ask the vets to do some blood checks for lead, this mght cost more or it might cost less than the soil or air checks, hard to say.

The biggest issue, as I say is what to test for. It makes a difference in how things are sampled and analyzied int eh lab.