Safer Practices for Community Gardens and Agriculture

There are special considerations to take when starting a community garden or urban agriculture project on a site where residential demolition has occurred. Always learn as much as you can about the previous uses of your project site, and take these previous uses into consideration when developing a garden plan.

Common sources of contamination include paint (manufactured before 1978), high traffic areas, treated lumber, burning waste, contaminated manure, coal ash, sewage sludge, petroleum spills, pesticides, and commercial / industrial use sites. Sometimes these contaminants are found in the soil near their sources.

You can be exposed to different contaminants in different ways but some of the most common include breathing in the contaminant, eating or drinking the contaminant or food that has come in contact with the skin.

Contaminants can negatively affect your health in a multitude of ways. Remember, it is important to avoid exposure to possible contaminants in your environment to keep your family safe.