Atlanta Residents' Knowledge Regarding Heavy Metal Exposures and Remediation in Urban Agriculture

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Lauren Balotin, Emory University; Samantha Distler, Emory University; Antoinette Williams, Emory University; Samuel J. W. Peters, Emory University; Candis M. Hunter, Emory University; Chris Theal, Historic Westside Gardens Atlanta Inc; Gil Frank, Historic Westside Gardens Atlanta Inc; Taranji Alvarado, Historic Westside Gardens Atlanta Inc; Rosario Hernandez, Historic Westside Gardens Atlanta Inc; Arthur Hines, Historic Westside Gardens Atlanta Inc; Eri Saikawa, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-03-02
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062069
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 6
• Grant/Funding Information: This study is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P30ES019776.
• Keywords: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Science & Technology; lead; arsenic; Neighborhoods; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Risk; heavy metals; gardening; Contaminated soils; PB; Soil lead; urban agriculture; Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Hazards; Environmental Sciences; Atlanta; Health; Fruit; Growth; soil
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety; Environmental Sciences; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Urban agriculture and gardening provide many health benefits, but the soil is sometimes at risk of heavy metal and metalloid (HMM) contamination. HMM, such as lead and arsenic, can result in adverse health effects for humans. Gardeners may face exposure to these contaminants because of their regular contact with soil and consumption of produce grown in urban areas. However, there is a lack of research regarding whether differential exposure to HMM may be attributed to differential knowledge of exposure sources. In 2018, industrial slag and hazardous levels of soil contamination were detected in West Atlanta. We conducted community-engaged research through surveys and follow-up interviews to understand awareness of slag, HMM in soil, and potential remediation options. Home gardeners were more likely to recognize HMM health effects and to cite health as a significant benefit of gardening than community gardeners. In terms of knowledge, participants were concerned about the potential health effects of contaminants in soil yet unconcerned with produce in their gardens. Gardeners’ knowledge on sources of HMM exposure and methods for remediation were low and varied based on racial group.