It may seem impossible and even unwise to grow a garden in
an area that contains previously contaminated soil. Fortunately, it is not only
possible but can be beneficial to the health of your community. Deciding to
grow a garden using a potentially contaminated area sounds risky but there are
many steps you can take in order to create a healthy garden for your family and
community. On their website, the Environmental Working Group offers ideas and
instructions for growing a garden in urban soil that is potentially
contaminated. They explain what types of contaminants may be found such as
lead, arsenic, and chromium, how to find out which contaminates are present,
and how to manage and possibly improve the soil using raised beds or
stabilization or extraction techniques.
It is very important to be cautious and follow guidelines
when planting in potentially contaminated soil as humans and animals can be
exposed to contaminants through ingestion while working with the soil and also
through ingestion of plants that have been grown in contaminated soil. The
Cornell Waste Management Institute offers ideas of how to reduce exposure to
contaminants in your crops by washing produce with a vinegar solution or
discarding parts of plants that may have come into direct contact with contaminated
soil. However, it is possible for plants to take up certain contaminants
through their roots so it is important to always test your soil.
More information on how to test soil
and build your garden can be found on the EPA’s website in a document called Reusing Potentially Contaminated Landscapes:
Growing Gardens in Urban Soils at
http://nepis.epa.gov. And at http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/Soil_Contaminants.pdf
or
By: Amber Page
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