Low presence of potentially toxic elements in Singapore urban garden soils

Abstract Background Urban agriculture is potentially an important piece of the food security puzzle for a rapidly growing urban world population. Community gardening also promoted as safe and viable form exercise aging populations in crowded settings where opportunities to participate other action activities may be limited. Knowledge potential site-specific health risks environmental contaminants dialogues promoting farming. Methods We assess pseudo-total concentrations selected toxic elements (PTEs) soils community gardens, public parks, woodlands tropical island nation Singapore. compare cadmium, copper, lead, zinc with amalgamated risk guidelines baseline understanding level contamination these spaces. perform providence tracking lead isotopes identify sources contaminants. Results All Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn soil were below threshold considered represent substantial risk. Further, PTE gardens largely equivalent those found parks woodlands, but geographical distribution varied. Provenance Pb indicated was both anthropogenic natural, spatially variable. The lack strong spatial clustering areas highest inconsistent common point source contamination. However, correlation between Cu suggest elements, such road/trafficking or atmospheric deposition. Conclusion find limited gardeners exposure Zn—elements that are commonly abundant dense transportation networks industrial activities. low levels PTEs encouraging promotion farming production leisure this setting. low, we did not bioavailability bioaccessibility PTEs. These assessments would need determined cases higher provide more thorough consideration actual human