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

Author

Listed:
  • Candis M. Hunter

    (Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Dana H. Z. Williamson

    (Department of Behavioral Health Sciences and Education, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Matthew O. Gribble

    (Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Halle Bradshaw

    (Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Melanie Pearson

    (Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Eri Saikawa

    (Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
    Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, 400 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • P. Barry Ryan

    (Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Michelle Kegler

    (Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
    Department of Behavioral Health Sciences and Education, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Candis M. Hunter & Dana H. Z. Williamson & Matthew O. Gribble & Halle Bradshaw & Melanie Pearson & Eri Saikawa & P. Barry Ryan & Michelle Kegler, 2019. "Perspectives on Heavy Metal Soil Testing Among Community Gardeners in the United States: A Mixed Methods Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:13:p:2350-:d:245218
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lauren Balotin & Samantha Distler & Antoinette Williams & Samuel J.W. Peters & Candis M. Hunter & Chris Theal & Gil Frank & Taranji Alvarado & Rosario Hernandez & Arthur Hines & Eri Saikawa, 2020. "Atlanta Residents’ Knowledge Regarding Heavy Metal Exposures and Remediation in Urban Agriculture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-27, March.
    2. Maeve Malone & Kabindra M. Shakya, 2024. "Trace Metal Contamination in Community Garden Soils across the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-19, February.

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