PH Testing Procedures

A pH test can evaluate your potential risk of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and arthritis, as well as numerous other degenerative conditions and diagnosis of some conditions. Testing of water can determine the amount of metals such as iron, copper and lead. Soil testing can assist you in the proper pH for optimal plant growth for shrubs, vegetables, flowers and fruit.

Saliva pH

• Before testing your saliva pH, you should not eat for two hours. To make sure that your saliva is clean, let your mouth fill with saliva, swallow it, then repeat. The third time, apply some of your saliva to the pH paper. Alkalize For Health indicates that if your saliva is at a health pH level, it should turn blue. This indicates a level of 7.4, which is slightly alkaline. If it turns another color, compare the color to the pH chart. If it indicates that your saliva is below 7.0, which is acidic, you should wait two hours and test it again.

Esophageal pH

• According to Cleveland Clinic, an esophageal pH test is used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or to evaluate whether medications or surgery have been effective. An acid sensing device is placed through your nose and down your esophagus on a small, thin tube. The device is placed approximately two inches above your lower esophageal sphincter. The external end is attached to a portable recorder which will monitor your acid level for 24 hours. During the test you will also record your activities, such as eating, drinking, lying down and getting up. In addition, you will press buttons on the recorder appropriate to any symptoms you are experiencing. A 48 hour test may also be done.

Water Testing

• According to Free Drinking Water, testing the pH of your water can indicate whether your water is hard or soft. You can dip the pH test strip in your water for one or two seconds, then compare the color to the pH chart provided with your strips. When water is pure, the pH is 7. Less than 7 means the water is acidic and more than 7 means it is basic. A pH of 6.5 or less could indicate that your water is soft, acidic and corrosive, which can result in premature damage to pipes, stains to your laundry and tasting metallic. A reading of more 8.5 or higher may mean your water is hard. Hard water can have an alkali taste, which is bitter, leave deposits on laundry tubs and dishes and make it difficult for soaps to lather.

Soil Testing

• Soil test pH test kits are available at just about any home building supply store or nursery. According to Lowes, to test your soil you should collect half inch samples from the side of a six to eight inch deep hole. Collect samples from the different areas where you will be planting similar plants. The soil should be mixed in a clean bucket, then spread it on newspaper to dry. Your kit will provide a test chamber or tube, with a soil fill line and a water fill line (distilled water is preferred) and either tablets or capsules to add to the mix. After all ingredients are added to the container as instructed, shake it thoroughly, then wait a minute or two for settling of the soil and development of the color to compare to the pH chart.

Obtaining pH Paper

• You can obtain pH paper for testing from health food stores, pool supply stores, pet stores (with aquarium supplies) and companies that supply laboratories. It may also be found and ordered online at numerous sites, such as Indigo Instruments (indigo.com/Test-Strips/pH-test-strips.html) and Edmund Scientifics (scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3021313&bhcd2=1258735529).