Behaviors to Reduce Heavy Metal Soil Contaminant Exposures among Community Gardeners 公开
Hunter, Candis Mayweather (Spring 2019)
Published
Abstract
Community gardens provide many benefits that should be balanced with possible risks of exposure to heavy metal soil contaminants in urban environments. Previous research has demonstrated that these risks may stem from the gardens’ proximity to heavily trafficked roadways, buildings with lead-based paint, and other environmental hazards. Behaviors can be implemented to reduce potential exposures; however, some gardeners may be unaware of risks related to contaminated soils and methods to mitigate exposure. Using an exploratory mixed-methods approach grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, (TPB) this study investigated factors that influence community gardeners to conduct behaviors to reduce their exposures to heavy metal soil contaminants.
The qualitative phase of this research utilized five focus groups to explore the behavioral, normative, and control beliefs related to soil testing, composting, mulching, and handwashing among Atlanta community garden leaders. Findings suggest that gardeners have varied risk perceptions of soil contaminants. Additionally, study results indicated that gardeners value heavy metal soil testing as a method to improve the soil quality and grow healthy food; however, perceived liability was a primary hindrance to testing. A key finding was that study participants did not associate composting and mulching as practices to reduce exposure to soil contaminants. Challenges regarding hand hygiene included concerns about decreased exposure to salubrious bacteria, inadequate access to potable water, and limited availability of gloves and wipes.
Using questionnaire data from 500 community gardeners across the United States, the second phase of the research applied logistic regression to examine factors that influence intention to soil test and hand wash after gardening. Results reveal that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, lower education and garden methods without pesticides were statistically significant predictors of soil testing and handwashing intention. Both qualitative and quantitative data reveal the following TPB themes: 1) In general, gardeners experience positive attitudes toward soil testing and handwashing; 2) Gardeners, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations are perceived to influence these behaviors; and 3) Gardeners experience lower perceived behavioral control for soil testing. Study findings have implications for interventions related to soil testing policy, exposure science research, and environmental justice initiatives.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introductory Literature Review 1
Study Conceptual Framework: Theory of Planned Behavior 8
Study Significance: A Mixed Methods Approach 14
References 17
Chapter 2: A Qualitative Study of Atlanta Community Garden Leader Perspectives on Gardening Advantages, Heavy Metal Soil Contamination Risks, and Related Behaviors 24
Abstract 25
Introduction 25
Methods 29
Results 31
Discussion 38
Conclusion 41
References 46
Chapter 3: Safe Community Gardening Practices: Focus Groups with Atlanta, Georgia Garden Leaders 50
Abstract 50
Introduction 51
Methods 54
Results 56
Discussion 62
Conclusion 66
References 68
Chapter 4: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Investigate Heavy Metal Soil Testing and Handwashing Intention Among Community Gardeners in the United States 76
Abstract 76
Introduction 77
Methods 80
Results 83
Discussion 85
Conclusion 90
References 92
Chapter 5: Summary & Conclusions 104
List of Figures
Figure 1.1: Theory of Planned Behavior 11
Figure 1.2 Study Conceptual Framework 16
Figure 3.1: Theory of Planned Behavior- Study Conceptual Framework for Soil Testing 45
Figure 4.1: Questionnaire Participant Community Garden locations 103
List of Tables
Table 1.1: Soil Screening Levels, Sources, and Health Effects for Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium 5
Table 2.1: Focus Group Participant Demographics 43
Table 2.2: Focus Group Participants' Community Garden Information 44
Table 3.1: Focus Group Participant Demographics 73
Table 3.2 Focus Group Participants’ Community Garden Information 74
Table 3.3: Summary of Participants’ Beliefs of the Safe Gardening Practices 75
Table 4.1: Demographic characteristics of the respondents and their community gardens 97
Table 4.2: Direct measures for Soil Testing and Handwashing Items 100
Table 4.3: Spearman correlations among TPB Variables 101
Table 4.4: Predictors of Soil Testing and Handwashing Intention 102
Table 5.1: Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Themes 119
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