Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
319 results(9 / 13)
Antimony Accumulation Risk in Lettuce Grown in Brazilian Urban Gardens
2016Silvia Mancarella, Giuseppina Pennisi, Daniela Gasperi, L. Marchetti, V. Loges, Francesco Orsini, Giorgio Gianquinto, Gilmo Vianello, Livia Vittori Antisari · Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) · Brazil (Recife)
This study assessed heavy metal accumulation in an urban garden in Recife, Brazil, at varying distances from a high-traffic road. It found that increasing distance from the street decreased the accumulation of many potentially toxic elements. However, the study revealed a greater human health danger associated with the accumulation of antimony in lettuce, while concentrations of other elements in leaf tissues were within reported thresholds.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityIDENTIFICATION OF LEAD AND CADMIUM LEVELS IN WHITE CABBAGE (Brassica rapa L.), SOIL, AND IRRIGATION WATER OF URBAN AGRICULTURAL SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES
2016Hardiyanto Hardiyanto, Constancio C. de Guzman · Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Science · Philippines (Metro Manila)
This study investigated the levels and distribution of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in white cabbage, soil, and irrigation water from urban agricultural sites in Las Piñas and Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Field areas were divided into three sections based on distance from the main road (0, 25, and 50 m), and metal contents were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The average Pb content (1.09 µg g-1 dry weight) in white cabbage was highest immediately beside the main road, with a similar trend in soil. A negative relationship was found between distance from the main road and Pb and Cd contents in white cabbage and soil. While overall concentrations of Pb and Cd in white cabbage, soil, and irrigation water were within acceptable limits, further study on heavy metal contamination in crops, especially those grown along main roads, was suggested.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleCommunityRisk Assessment of Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination on Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) Grown in Wastewater-Irrigated Urban Farming Sites in Sargodha, Pakistan
2016Kafeel Ahmad, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Asma Ashfaq, Ameer Khan, Hazoor Ahmad Shad, Mujahid Sher, Zahoor-ul-Hassan Dogar, Ijaz Rasool Noorka, Sumaira Yasmin, Vincenzo Tufarelli, Eugenio Cazzato · The Philippine Agricultural Scientist · Pakistan
This study analyzed heavy metal and metalloid levels in soil and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) from two urban farming sites in Sargodha, Pakistan, irrigated with wastewater. Findings showed that mean concentrations of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in soil, and manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in cabbage, exceeded permissible limits at both sites. Significant differences were observed in metal and metalloid levels in vegetable samples between sites.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleRecontamination Effect of Treated Wastewater on Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthes: Case Study on Vegetable Producers Groups in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
2016Noëllie W. Kpoda, Mariam Sou Dakouré, Boubacar Savadogo, Amadou H. Maïga, Jean-Noël Poda, G.B. Kabre · Journal of Water and Environment Technology · Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)
This study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, compared the parasitological characteristics of wastewater at a treatment plant's inlet and outlet, and in an open channel conveying treated wastewater to a garden site. Non-viable parasite cysts or eggs were found at the treatment plant, but viable parasite cysts and eggs were detected in the open channel. An epidemiological study demonstrated that open defecation by highly infected individuals within the garden site caused recontamination of the treated wastewater.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityRisk assessment from exposure to arsenic, antimony, and selenium in urban gardens (Madrid, Spain)
2016Eduardo De Miguel, Miguel Izquierdo‐Díaz, Amaia Gómez, Juan Mingot, Fernando Barrio‐Parra · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry · Spain (Madrid)
Forty-two soil samples from seven urban gardens in Madrid, Spain, were collected to measure concentrations of arsenic, antimony, and selenium, along with soil properties. Antimony concentrations exceeded recommended values for agricultural use in 70% of the urban gardens. A human health risk assessment indicated acceptable levels for noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, though carcinogenic values were elevated, with arsenic identified as the main risk driver.
Contamination & food safetyHealthRisk Perceptions of Wastewater Use for Urban Agriculture in Accra, Ghana
2016Prince Antwi-Agyei, Anne Peasey, Adam Biran, Jane Bruce, Jeroen H. J. Ensink · PLoS ONE · Ghana (Accra)
This study, conducted from September 2012 to August 2013 with 490 respondents in Accra, Ghana, assessed knowledge and awareness of wastewater use in urban agriculture. It found low awareness of irrigation water sources among consumers and street food vendors, and low health risk awareness among farmers, despite high awareness among salespersons and consumers. Crucially, consumers did not prioritize health indicators when purchasing produce, and farmers' health risk awareness did not influence their adoption of safer practices.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityHealth risk assessment of some heavy metals in urban community garden soils of Baghdad City, Iraq
2016Emad Abdulrahman Al-Heety, Kadhim H. Yassin, Safa Abd-Alsalaam · Human and Ecological Risk Assessment An International Journal · Iraq (Baghdad)
This study evaluated the health risk of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in soils from 14 urban community gardens in Baghdad City, Iraq. The non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI) was below the threshold (HI < 1), indicating no non-carcinogenic hazard. However, the carcinogenic risk index (RI) for Cd, Cr, and Ni exceeded the unacceptable threshold (RI < 1 × 10−4), demonstrating a serious carcinogenic risk for children and adults in the study area.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityHeavy Metal Toxicity in Wastewater Irrigated Peri-Urban Agricultural Areas of Lahore, Pakistan; a Case Study
2016Mujtaba Baqar, Nadia Jamil, Naveed Ahsan, Kiran Khanum, Abdul Qadir, Mariyam Zameer, Anam Khalid · Transylvanian Review · Pakistan (Lahore)
This case study investigated the impacts of heavy metals from wastewater irrigation on soil, groundwater, and leafy vegetables (Indian mustard, spinach, fodder) in the Charrar Drain catchment, Lahore, Pakistan. Samples were collected from seven sites. Drain water showed Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations exceeding limits at most sites, and groundwater Cd concentrations also exceeded limits, though Cr and Pb were within permissible ranges. Soil samples contained Cd, Cr, and Pb, and leafy vegetables irrigated with wastewater showed varying heavy metal concentrations, indicating a heavy metal bioaccumulation issue that may exceed threshold limits.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleGrowing Gardens in Shrinking Cities: A Solution to the Soil Lead Problem?
2016Kirsten Schwarz, Bethany B. Cutts, Jonathan London, Mary L. Cadenasso · Sustainability · Global
This paper proposes reframing the issue of soil lead contamination and urban gardening in shrinking cities from a potential conflict to a potential solution. Many shrinking cities face high soil lead burdens from their industrial past and the historic use of lead-based paint and leaded gasoline, which is often seen as a barrier to urban agriculture. The paper argues that urban gardening can be a solution to the soil lead problem through soil management, including soil testing and the addition of amendments, and through social network and community building.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthMedia Frames and Shifting Places of Environmental (In)Justice: A Qualitative Historical Geographic Information System Method
2016Bethany B. Cutts, Danqi Fang, Kaitlyn Hornik, Jonathan London, Kirsten Schwarz, Mary L. Cadenasso · Environmental Justice · United States (California)
This study introduced a Qualitative Historical Geographic Information System (QHGIS) method to investigate how newspapers reflect changing meanings of place in relation to environmental burden and benefit. Applying QHGIS to urban gardening and soil lead issues reported in Sacramento, California, the method revealed the distribution of public narratives of environmental concern across the city, the politics embedded in location names, place name-changes, and how locations serve as framing devices for environmental concerns.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthPolicyA faecal exposure assessment of farm workers in Accra, Ghana: a cross sectional study
2016Prince Antwi-Agyei, Adam Biran, Anne Peasey, Jane Bruce, Jeroen H. J. Ensink · BMC Public Health · Ghana (Accra)
This cross-sectional study in Accra, Ghana, assessed faecal exposure among 80 farm workers during dry and wet seasons, analyzing water and soil samples for E. coli. The results showed that while irrigation water was highly contaminated (5.6 Log E. coli/100 ml), exposure to farm soil (2.3 Log E. coli/g) was the key risk pathway due to soil-to-mouth events, with 53% of farmers experiencing such events daily. The estimated norovirus infection risk to farmers was found to be higher than guidelines set by the WHO, indicating that exposure to soil is a critical pathway of pathogen risk in wastewater farmers, exceeding recommended health targets.
Contamination & food safetyHealthUrban–rural linkagePolicyUsing Community-Based Participatory Research to Explore Backyard Gardening Practices and Soil Lead Concentrations in Urban Neighborhoods
2016Sheri L. Johnson, Dalila Cardona, J. H. C. Davis, Benjamin Gramling, Chelsea Hamilton, Ray G. Hoffmann, Sabrina J. Ruis, Douglas J. Soldat, Steve Ventura, Yan Ke · Progress in community health partnerships · Global
This study used community-based participatory research to explore backyard gardening practices and soil lead concentrations in urban neighborhoods. Interviews with 20 adult gardeners revealed perceived benefits but few initial concerns about lead exposure, despite children's active involvement. Soil lead concentrations from 17 residential properties ranged from 7 to 3,234 mg kg-1, significantly higher than commercial soils (6 to 13 mg kg-1), indicating a contamination risk.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityFood educationHeavy Metal Contamination of Soil, Irrigation Water and Vegetables in Peri‐Urban Agricultural Areas and Markets of Delhi
2015Arti Bhatia, Shivdhar Singh, Amit Kumar · Water Environment Research · India (Delhi)
A study in Delhi, India, investigated heavy metal contamination (cadmium, lead, zinc, copper) in irrigation water, soil, and vegetables from four peri-urban and one wholesale site. Most samples from peri-urban areas exceeded safe limits for lead and cadmium. Vegetables from the wholesale market showed only higher lead concentrations. Among peri-urban vegetables, only okra exceeded the safe limit for cadmium, while several wholesale vegetables (potato, coriander, chilies, pea, carrot) exceeded the limit for lead regarding health risk.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agriculturePollution assessment of organochlorine pesticides in urban agricultural soils of Jilin City, China
2015Jingjing Zhang, Jingshuang Liu, Rui Yu, Qiang Liu, Yang Wang · Human and Ecological Risk Assessment An International Journal · China (Jilin City)
This study analyzed 50 surface soil samples from urban vegetable fields in Jilin City, China, for thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Based on soil quality standards, DDTs and chlordanes were categorized as light pollution, while HCHs showed no pollution for most samples. The study concluded that despite the presence of various OCPs residues, the soils are still safe and suitable for agricultural production.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPolicyClimate changeRadiometric study of heavy metal levels in sediments from areas of fishing, therapeutic and environmental interest and in urban soils from different cities in Cuba
2015Díaz Rizo, Óscar, Olivares Rieumont, Susana, D'Alessandro Rodríguez, Katia, López Pino, Neivy, Arado López, Juana Orquídea, Gelen Rudnikas, Alina, Díaz Arado, Óscar, Lima Cazorla, Lázaro, García Céspedes, Damaris, González Hernández, Patricia, Arencibia Carballo, Gustavo, Padilla Cabal, Fátima, Echevarría Castillo, Frank, Hernández Merlo, M., Casanova Díaz, A., Corrales Martínez, Y., Reyes, H., Viguri Fuente, Javier Rufino, Ródenas Palomino, Carmen, Santana, J. L. · UCrea (University of Cantabria) · Cuba
This 2015 study in Cuba used X-ray Fluorescence and Low Background Gamma Spectrometry to analyze heavy metal and radioactive element concentrations in marine/river sediments and urban soils. It found heavy metal contamination in coastal sediments of Guacanayabo Gulf and possible selenium contamination in the Sagua River estuary. The study also reported heavy metal concentrations in urban soils of Havana, Moa, Las Tunas, and Cienfuegos, including contamination levels in urban agricultural farms.
Contamination & food safetyHealthVancouver community gardeners perceptions on soil health and contamination
2015Jason Murillo, Environmental Health BCIT School of Health Sciences, Bobby Sidhu · BCIT Environmental Public Health Journal · Canada (Vancouver)
An online survey of 101 community gardeners from 23 community gardens in Vancouver, Canada, investigated perceptions of soil health and contamination. The study found no association between soil testing and garden location, nor between garden location and gardeners' confidence in soil safety. Despite potential health concerns from contaminated soil, community gardeners refrained from soil testing and remained confident in their soil's safety, indicating a gap in safety standards.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthUrban Market Gardening and Rodent-Borne Pathogenic Leptospira in Arid Zones: A Case Study in Niamey, Niger
2015Gauthier Dobigny, Madougou Garba, Caroline Tatard, Anne Loiseau, Maxime Galan, Ibrahima Kadaouré, Jean‐Pierre Rossi, Mathieu Picardeau, Eric Bertherat · PLoS neglected tropical diseases · Niger
An extensive survey of urban rodents in Niamey, Niger, investigated the presence and distribution of rodent-borne pathogenic Leptospira species. Leptospires were not detected in the core city, but L. kirschneri was found in Arvicanthis niloticus and Cricetomys gambianus, rodent species restricted to irrigated cultures within the city. This study indicates the importance of market gardening in the maintenance and circulation of leptospirosis within Sahelian cities.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureMicrobiological and Physicochemical Evaluation of Jakara Canal Wastewater Used for Irrigation in Kano
2015M. G. Dahiru, Onaiwu Idahosa Enabulele · · Nigeria (Kano)
Microbiological and physicochemical parameters of urban wastewater from the Jakara Canal in Kano were analyzed to assess its potential for irrigation. Mean fecal coliform counts ranged from 64.43 ± 63.20 MPN 100/ml to 216.85 ± 350.16 MPN 100/ml, increasing along the canal. All physicochemical parameters were within FEPA and WHO/FAO acceptable limits, but conductivity needed monitoring to avoid salinity.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleUrban–rural linkageComparative Analysis of Heavy Metals from Groundwater Sources Situated in Keko and Kigogo Residential Areas, Dar es Salaam
2015Isabela Thomas Mkude · Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
This study assessed heavy metal concentrations in 12 groundwater samples from Keko and Kigogo areas in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during dry and rainy seasons. While copper and zinc concentrations were low, lead concentrations were detected beyond WHO permissible levels (0.01-0.35mg/l). This high lead presence may be attributed to urban agriculture activities, onsite facilities, and industrial waste discharge around the Msimbazi river.
Contamination & food safetyHealthTrace Metal Contamination in New York City Garden Soils
2015Zhongqi Cheng, Anna Paltseva, Ireyena Li, Tatiana Morin, Hermine Huot, Sara Perl Egendorf, Zulema Su, Roxanne Yolanda, Kishan Singh, Leda Lee, Michael Grinshtein, Ying Liu, Kayo Green, Win Wai, Bushra Wazed, Richard K. Shaw · Soil Science · United States (New York City)
This study analyzed trace metal concentrations (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb) in 1,652 soil samples from 904 gardens in New York City. It found that many soils exceeded New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Soil Cleanup Objective (SCO) limits for Pb, Cr, As, and Cd. Specifically, about 21% of community garden samples and 71% of home garden samples exceeded SCO limits for Pb and As, and less than 3% of all samples met criteria for unrestricted use.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityDIYAgriculture urbaine et enjeux de santé
2015Christine Aubry, Jeanne Pourias, Anne Cécile Daniel · HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · Global
Urban agriculture is gaining popularity, often for its contribution to urban greening, re-establishing connections between urban dwellers and agricultural and food production, and among urban dwellers themselves. However, urban agriculture also involves significant health issues, which advocate for urban planning that promotes its maintenance or establishment under healthy environmental conditions.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPolicyCommunityPesticide Misuse in Rural-Urban Agriculture: A Case Study of Vegetable Production in Tano South of Ghana
2015Emmanuel Yennumi Wandaat, Joseph Xorse Kugbe · Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences · Ghana
A study on vegetable production in Ghana's Tano South District surveyed 132 urban farmers and 5 stakeholders. Farmers relied solely on chemical pesticides for pest control and lacked in-depth knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Inappropriate handling and non-use of protective clothing led farmers to report health issues like dizziness, skin irritation, and nausea, while indiscriminate spraying resulted in pesticide residues posing serious health risks to consumers and the environment.
Contamination & food safetyHealthFood educationPeri-urban agricultureRadiomonitoring of the Opole industrial district
2015Piotr Godyń, Maria Zielińska, Agnieszka Dołhańczuk-Śródka, Zbigniew Ziembik · Geology Geophysics & Environment · Poland
Soil samples were collected from 19 sites around the Opole industrial zone in Poland to determine the influence of the local metallurgical industry on soil contamination with metals, using Pb-210 as a contamination tracer. Results indicated that the metallurgical industry is not a source of environmental pollution in the immediate vicinity. Excessive lead concentrations ranged from 1 Bq/kg d.m. to 100 Bq/kg d.m. but were not strongly correlated with distances from the presumed source of contamination.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPolicyManagement of poultry waste and its implications on urban vegetable production in Metropolitan Lagos
2015Vide Adedayo · Journal of Research in National Development · Nigeria (Lagos)
This study investigated poultry waste management in urban vegetable farms in Metropolitan Lagos from an ecosystem to human health perspective. Using a transdisciplinary approach, community participation, and socio-cultural, physiochemical, microbiological, and clinical information, the research revealed negative impacts and health problems associated with poultry waste management due to poor storage, composting, and packaging techniques. Consequently, adverse effects on users were identified.
Contamination & food safetyOrganic cycleHealthFarmers perception on excreta reuse for peri-urban agriculture in southern Ghana
2014Nimoh Fred, Ohene-Yankyera Kwasi, Poku Kofi, Konradsen Flemming, Claude-François Robert · Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics · Ghana
A study in Ghana's Shai-Osudoku district investigated farmers' attitudes toward excreta reuse for peri-urban agriculture, surveying 400 randomly selected respondents. A majority of respondents disagreed that excreta are waste and were willing to use them as fertilizer. However, a majority also agreed that excreta can pose health risks, and perceptions on reuse differed among households.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleHealth