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. 2020 Mar 20;17(6):2069.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17062069.

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

Lauren Balotin  1 , Samantha Distler  1 , Antoinette Williams  2 , Samuel J W Peters  3 , Candis M Hunter  3 , Chris Theal  4 , Gil Frank  4 , Taranji Alvarado  4 , Rosario Hernandez  4 , Arthur Hines  4 , Eri Saikawa  1   3
Affiliations

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

Lauren Balotin et al. Int J Environ Res 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.

Keywords: Atlanta; arsenic; gardening; heavy metals; lead; soil; urban agriculture.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Income vs. Race of Participants. Total question respondents: 51.
Figure A2
Figure A2
Average annual household income among participants. Total question respondents: 51.
Figure A3
Figure A3
Age of participants. Total question respondents: 51.
Figure A4
Figure A4
Participants’ perceived risk of heavy metal soil contaminants on health. Total question respondents: 44.
Figure A5
Figure A5
Knowledge of participants regarding potential soil remediation methods. Total question respondents: 41.
Figure A6
Figure A6
Knowledge of participants regarding potential sources of exposure to soil contaminants based on income (a) and the existence of children (b). Total question respondents: 41.
Figure A7
Figure A7
Respondents’ lack of funding to remediate heavy metal soil contaminants and/or slag by income levels. Total question respondents: 40.
Figure A8
Figure A8
Likelihood of participants taking action to remove heavy metal soil contaminants if made aware of them by racial identity. Total question respondents: 41.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Most common perceived benefits of home gardeners (a) and community gardeners (b).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Level of concern of participants with potential health effects of hmm contaminants (a) and produce grown in their gardens (b).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Knowledge of participants regarding potential sources of exposure to soil contaminants based on race (a) and type of garden (b).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Knowledge of participants regarding methods for remediating HMM soil contaminants and/or slag.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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