Perspectives on Heavy Metal Soil Testing Among Community Gardeners in the United States: A Mixed Methods Approach

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Candis M. Hunter, Emory University; Dana H.Z. Williamson, Emory University; Matthew Gribble, Emory University; Halle Bradshaw, Emory University; Melanie Pearson, Emory University; Eri Saikawa, Emory University; P Barry Ryan, Emory University; Michelle Kegler, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-07-01
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132350
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• ISSN: 1661-7827
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 13
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported by Emory University Laney Graduate School Professional Development Funds and Emory HERCULES Exposome Research Center (NIEHS #P30 ES019776).
• Keywords: MANAGEMENT; Science & Technology; URBAN AGRICULTURE; PERCEIVED BEHAVIORAL-CONTROL; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; PLANNED BEHAVIOR; urban agriculture; FARMERS; ADOPTION; LEAD; Environmental Sciences; risk perception; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; environmental psychology; soil contaminants; REASONED ACTION; Environmental Sciences & Ecology; SCHOOL GARDENS; SAFETY; Theory of Planned Behavior
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Economics, Agricultural

Abstract

Community gardens offer numerous benefits, but there are also potential risks from exposure to chemical contaminants in the soil. Through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior, this mixed methods study examined community gardeners’ beliefs and intentions to conduct heavy metal soil testing. The qualitative component involved five focus groups of community garden leaders in Atlanta, Georgia. Qualitative analysis of the focus group data revealed that heavy metal soil contamination was not frequently identified as a common gardening hazard and several barriers limited soil testing in community gardens. The focus group results informed the development of a questionnaire that was administered to 500 community gardeners across the United States. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the soil testing intention was associated with attitude (aOR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.34, 4.53), subjective norms (aOR = 3.39 95% CI: 2.07, 5.57), and perceived behavioral control (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.99). Study findings have implications for interventions involving community garden risk mitigation, particularly gardens that engage children and vulnerable populations.