Andrea Gaynor

In: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture

The safety of food produced in urban agriculture depends on a number of factors, including the history of persistent toxic chemicals applied to an area. Using the application of organochlorine pesticides in Perth, Western Australia as a case study, this article examines the problems that can arise when urban agriculture is scattered throughout a metropolitan area, and carried out by people who often have little detailed knowledge of how land in the area has historically been treated, and therefore what kinds of soil contamination might be present. The article concludes with recommendations for health and local government workers, which could help to ensure that households are aware of the potential health risks associated with food production in urban areas, and are able to act to minimise those risks.