you’re deliberately concentrating cannabinoids…
turns out you can concentrate pesticides and heavy metals using the exact same process.
cannabis is a known bioaccumulator.
if you give it substrate (or food) with heavy metals, it will suck them up. Some have suggested Hemp for bioremediation efforts based on that trait. Soil Remediation and biomass energy
…but only recently have had to deal with state mandated heavy metal testing…
I’m with you that your gear probably isn’t the source. Are you using any magic dirt? (yes? drop it & test again)
my bet is your issue is the biomass. chances are that means the nutrients or media given how you’re producing it.
Edit: or maybe I’m wrong. @Liam1 apparently has data to the contrary… Heavy Metals prevalence in plant material/extracts? - #2 by Liam1